The International Cricket Council banned Western Province and Proteas batsman Zubayr Hamza for nine months earlier this year.
The suspension, which was backdated to 22 March 2022, ended on 22 December.
Hamza has been named in Western Province’s squad for this week’s One Day Cup fixture against the Rocks at Boland Park in Paarl.
Hamza suspension
Hamza had been suspended after admitting to an anti-doping rule violation under the ICC’s anti-doping code in May 2022.
He had provided an out-of-competition sample on 17 January 2022. It contained Furosemide – a substance specified in section S5 of the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.
The ICC have disqualified Hamza’s international performances between 17 January and 22 March 2022. This period comprised one Test, in which he scored 25 and six against New Zealand in Christchurch.
What the ICC said at the time
“The ICC is committed to keeping cricket clean and has a zero-tolerance approach to doping,” said ICC general manager of the integrity unit Alex Marshall in May 2022.
“It is also a timely reminder to all international cricketers that they remain responsible for anything they put into their bodies, to know exactly what medication they are taking so as to ensure it does not contain a prohibited substance and does not result in an anti-doping rule violation.”
What Hamza said at the time
“I have never intentionally taken a prohibited substance,” Hamza said in a statement issued by the South African Cricketers’ Association in May 2022.
“And I am relieved that the ICC determination confirms this fact. The past few months have been difficult for me on a personal and professional level, and I have learnt lessons that I will share with my fellow players.”