Auckland club cricketer Tayden Smit banned after steroid parcel sent to Howick Woolworths

The Sport Integrity Commission claimed Smit committed anti-doping rule violations for possession of the substance and attempted use, with the cricketer failing to file a notice of defence despite being given several extensions to do so.

Smit claimed he ordered the Dianabol from China in 2022 when he was still at school. He said he turned to the steroid wanting to get bigger in the gym and it had nothing to do with cricket performance.

The parcel, which was intercepted on December 31, 2025, arrived without warning after a long delay.

The commission said there was no evidence of Smit cancelling the purchase, but he appeared to claim the delay made him no longer want the substance when it arrived.

It asked Smit to provide further documents, such as messages between him and the supplier and records of transactions, but he claimed he had nothing to provide and paid for the package in bitcoin and he no longer had an account.

The sports tribunal did not accept Smit’s explanation and found the 2025 purchase to be a new order which meant he was subject to anti-doping rules at the time it was made.

The tribunal was satisfied that Smit possessed the steroid and planned to use it, finding both anti-doping violations he was accused of were established.

Smit was slapped with a four-year ban from cricket backdated to May 26, 2026, the date he was provisionally suspended, and will be unable to participate in competitive sport until May 26, 2030.

Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui chief executive Rebecca Rolls said Smit’s case had highlighted the consequences of buying banned substances on the internet.

“Anti-doping rules apply to and protect athletes at all levels.

“Buying banned substances online may seem low risk. The reality is that the consequences can be deeply harmful, affecting an athlete’s health, wellbeing, relationships, and their future in the sport they love.”

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