Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer

Cape Town - Islam is a faith Proteas cricketer Wayne Parnell has “always been interested in”.

The promising Warriors left-arm seam bowler confirmed in a statement on Thursday that he converted in January, “after a period of personal study and reflection”.

Port Elizabeth-born Parnell, who turns 22 on Saturday, said: “While I have not yet decided on an Islamic name I have considered the name Waleed which means Newborn Son, but for now my name remains Wayne Dillon Parnell.

"I will continue to respect the team’s endorsement of alcoholic beverages. I am playing cricket in Sussex and this is my immediate focus.

“As I am approaching my first period of fasting, I ask that this special time is treated with respect.

“I am a young man, a professional cricketer by trade, and while I can appreciate and am grateful for the public interest in my personal life, my faith choice is a matter which I would like to keep private.”

His manager Donne Commins told Sport24 she had never realised his conversion would generate so much interest.

“There’s certainly nothing to extract that’s in any way ‘negative’ about it,” she said.

“Personally I think it’s fantastic: as with anything in life, if there’s something that guides you it’s wonderful.

“It suits Wayne’s personality ... he’s an emotionally-intelligent, switched-on guy. Many of his closer friends are Muslim.”

Parnell has played three Tests, 19 ODIs and 11 Twenty20 internationals for the Proteas.

He has admitted on previous occasions that he has occasionally succumbed to lapses in discipline and a penchant for “partying”.


Hashim Amla, Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir (Gallo Images)