The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad has reported that three players tested positive for drugs during the 2005 season.

Those involved are reportedly HBS captain Taco Risselada, Ben Goedegebuur of VOC Rotterdam and Hermes-DVS Schiedam�s Dutch international Pieter Seelaar, who tested positive for cocaine, XTC and marijuana respectively. The Dutch Board�s disciplinary committee is expected to issue its findings next week.

Risselada and Goedegebuur could face suspensions of up to a year, while Seelaar is expected to receive a caution.

Drugs tests have been a regular feature of top division cricket in The Netherlands since 2001, but this is the first time that positive results have been recorded.

Dutch Board chairman Ren� van Ierschot emphasized that the testing procedures, which are conducted under the aegis of the Dutch Sports Council in line with IOC rules, were primarily aimed at combating performance-enhancing substances, and that �recreational� drugs were listed because they could potentially be used for that purpose.

�There�s no reason to suppose that they were used in that way in these cases,� he added, �but we have to apply the rules consistently, and players have to accept the consequences if they test positive.�

Van Ierschot added that he was disappointed that after five years of testing three such cases had occurred at once.