New Zealand's Jesse Ryder given six-month doping ban

New Zealand all-rounder Jesse Ryder has been suspended from all forms of cricket for six months following a positive doping test.

The 29-year-old was found to have taken a performance-enhancing stimulant last summer and has now been handed an official ban after facing a Sports Disputes Tribunal hearing.

A statement from the tribunal revealed that Ryder admitted to using a substance banned from competition under section 6.b of the Prohibited List 2013.

It read: "In his testing declaration [Ryder] disclosed that he had taken two tablets of Tramadol in the days prior to the test."

Ryder, who has played 19 Tests and 37 one-day internationals for the Kiwis, will be free to play in New Zealand's domestic season when his ban, effective from April 19 to October 19, is completed.