van Jaarsveld tests positive for banned substance

Vaughn van Jaarsveld, the 25-year-old Dolphins batsman who has played two one-dayers and three Twenty20 internationals for South Africa, has tested positive for the banned stimulant sibutramine. South Africa Cricketers' Association (SACA) chief executive Tony Irish confirmed the news, but indicated that van Jaarsveld may have ingested the appetite suppressant accidentally, as a part of a prescription medicine.

"It does not appear to be his fault because it was present in dieting tablets he was prescribed by his doctor called Ciplatrim," Irish told Reuters. "Because it is a specified substance, it means it can be taken inadvertently because it is commonly found in medicines, for instance.

"We don't believe it is his fault, but we have to go through the process and we have waived his right to have the B-sample tested. In the circumstances, we hope the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport will be pretty lenient."

Dolphins coach Graham Ford also hoped van Jaarsveld would get a longer rope, because the the drug that he tested positive for, was a part of his medical prescription. "As far as I know he was under prescription, it was declared to the medical officer when he was tested. It was a prescription from a very well respected medical practitioner. Failing a test is not something to be condoned but in these circumstances the issue is very different."