JOHANNES BURG: Graeme Smith will be fit to lead South Africa in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies next month, but left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell was not included in the South African squad announced today.

Smith suffered a broken finger while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while Parnell had to return home without playing a game for the Delhi Daredevils because of a groin injury. Parnell was one of the stars of the 2009 World Twenty20 in England, taking nine wickets as South Africa reached the semis before losing to eventual winners Pakistan.

His feats earned him a $610,000 contract with the Daredevils. Big-hitting all-rounder Justin Kemp was also ruled out after being injured in the IPL. He hurt his back while playing for the Chennai Super Kings. The South African squad includes one uncapped player in swing bowler Juan Rusty’ Theron, who has impressed with his bowling in the “death” overs for the Warriors, South Africa’s domestic Twenty20 champions.

“Rusty Theron has impressed everybody with his skills and his temperament both in domestic cricket and in the IPL,” said coach Corrie van Zyl. With both Parnell and Kemp not considered, all-rounder Rory Kleinveldt won a surprise call-up.

“Rory will be a good like-for-like replacement for Parnell,” said Van Zyl. “Rory also gives

us some good batting options down the order.”

Hard-hitting batsman Lungile Loots’ Bosman and swing bowler Charl Langeveldt were also included. South Africa will play warm-up matches in Barbados against Sri Lanka on April 27

and England on April 28 before starting the tournament proper with a match against India in St Lucia on May 2.