The national career of Zimbabwean cricketer Sean Williams has effectively ended due to drug addiction, as Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed he will no longer be selected for the national team. Williams has also voluntarily sought professional help by entering rehabilitation.
This development arose after Williams withdrew from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025 just before the tournament commenced in Harare. His withdrawal was linked to potential anti-doping tests, and he later admitted during an investigation that he has been battling drug addiction. Zimbabwe Cricket underscored its expectation for contracted players to adhere strictly to professional standards, discipline, and all team protocols, including anti-doping regulations.
The board’s statement alluded to Williams’ history of disciplinary issues and frequent unavailability, which had previously created challenges for team preparations and overall performance. While commending his decision to enter rehabilitation, Zimbabwe Cricket expressed significant concern over the professional and ethical implications of his withdrawal in the context of potential testing. Consequently, the board has decided that Williams will not be considered for future national selections, and his current contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of 2025.
Williams, who made his international debut in 2005, enjoyed a long and productive career for Zimbabwe, featuring in 24 Tests, 164 ODIs, and 85 T20Is. He accumulated over 8,900 international runs, including 14 centuries and 56 fifties, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading batsmen.