Parnell to attend court hearing in India

South African omitted from squad to face Netherlands as he needs to appear in a Mumbai court over 2012 drug charges.

Wayne Parnell denies wrongdoing and was granted bail [GALLO/GETTY]

All-rounder Wayne Parnell has been omitted from the South Africa squad for its World Twenty 20 match against the Netherlands so he can appear in court in Mumbai.

The team said in a statement that Parnell will not be available for Thursday’s match as he needs to appear in court that day over a drug-related charge handed to him during the 2012 Indian Premier League.

“We were made aware before the event 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,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said.

“It’s unfortunate to lose him for a game in the middle of an important tournament him, 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 and his then-Pune Warriors teammate Rahul Sharma were arrested while attending a party that was subject to a drug raid. Their blood and urine samples were taken along with 88 others partygoers.

The 24-year-old Parnell denied any wrongdoing and was granted bail.

Source: AP