Laurie Evans' provisional doping suspension lifted

Laurie Evans has had his provisional suspension from all cricket lifted after a positive test for a banned substance caused him to miss the English winter.

Evans denied any wrongdoing after failing a routine anti-doping test while playing for Manchester Originals in the Hundred last year, saying he was "shocked" at his positive result.

But he was unable to fulfil his contracts in the Abu Dhabi T10 and the Big Bash last winter while charges hung over him, and has not played competitively since September 3.

ESPNcricinfo understands that his suspension was raised in a ruling on Tuesday evening. Evans has not been absolved of the charges and will face a hearing later this year, but he is free to resume his career.

He is on a white-ball-only deal with his county Surrey and could make his competitive comeback in the Vitality Blast in late May.

Evans' name has also been added to a revised longlist of players available in Thursday's Hundred draft, which was circulated to teams on Wednesday afternoon.

An ECB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo: "The National Anti-Doping Panel has ruled that a Provisional Suspension imposed on Laurie Evans on 1 November 2022, in respect of an alleged anti-doping rule violation under the ECB Anti-Doping Rules, is lifted with effect from 21 March 2023.

"Consequently, Mr Evans is eligible for The Hundred Draft tomorrow and to play cricket pending the conclusion of the anti-doping proceedings against him."

As a short-form specialist, he could also make himself available for the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in the US.

Surrey declined to comment.