Wayne Parnell will not be available for selection in South Africa's next ICC World Twenty20 match against Netherlands tomorrow as he has been released from the squad to attend a mandatory court hearing in Mumbai over a drug-related charge during the 2012 IPL.
Even though Parnell has not featured in South Africa's first two group games, the team today said in a statement that the left-arm pacer has been ruled out of Netherlands game for a court hearing in Mumbai tomorrow.
"We were made aware before the T20 World Cup that Wayne would have to travel to India to appear in court as a matter of procedure and we have made provision for this in our planning," South Africa's team manager Mohammed Moosajee said.
"It's unfortunate to lose him for a game in the middle of an important tournament but we must respect the law. Furthermore, Wayne has expressed no wrongdoing so we hope that the case can be concluded as soon as possible."
Parnell's manager Donne Commins said the call for court appearance was "purely for procedural purposes".
"Wayne has been called to appear before the court in India purely for procedural purposes in relation to the courts ongoing administration of the case concerned," he said.
"Our understanding is that there will be no substantive enquiries made of him at the hearing, nor will the matter be progressed otherwise than as a matter of procedure," Commins added.
Parnell and his former Pune Warriors teammate Rahul Sharma were among 90 people arrested by the police from a party that was subject to a drug raid.
Out of the 90 people, 86 apparently tested positive for drugs including 35 foreign nationals.
However, the 24-year-old Parnell has denied any wrongdoing and was later granted bail.
He is expected to rejoin the squad on Friday ahead of South Africa's crucial match against England.
