BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | West Indies v South Africa

South African fast bowler Andre Nel has denied smoking marijuana at a party to celebrate their Test series victory in the West Indies.

Nel, teammates Hereschelle Gibbs, Justin Kemp, Paul Adams and Roger Telemachus, and team physio Craig Smith were each fined 10,000 rand (�887) and reprimanded after reportedly admitting that they were involved.

But 23-year-old Nel, who is on his first overseas tour with South Africa's senior side, insists that he and Kemp are innocent.

He told the Afrikaans newspaper Beeld: "Justin Kemp and I did nothing wrong. We were in the same room with the other guys when it happened and stood by them afterwards.

Andrew Nel
Nel bowling in Trinidad

"People must understand that I would never do anything so stupid when I am on the verge of my international debut."

The incident occurred following the team's victory in the fourth Test at Antigua last month.

Nel did not play in the Test series, but his made his international debut in Saturday's one-day game in Trinidad, taking three for 20 as South Africa won by 53 runs.

The fines were imposed by a Misconduct Committee, consisting of team management and senior players.

Smith has expressed concern at how a private disciplinary matter became public knowledge.

South African team physio Craig Smith
Smith: The matter should have stayed private

"Now that it has come out, each of the guys involved, including myself, has to live with it and face the music, accept the criticism, live with the headlines and put up with the jokes from our mates at the 19th hole."

Smith maintains that the incident was a "one-off" and added: "I would urge the forgiving people of South Africa to back all the young guys involved and give them another chance to prove themselves as very fine cricketers and ambassadors for their country."

Gibbs could now face a three-match ban, which was imposed last April, but suspended for a year.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa is to review the matter, however, because the original suspended ban was not imposed by the Misconduct Committee overseeing disciplinary matters on tour.

They could also take further action against the others involved.

"We are just going to finish the tour on a positive note and leave the United Cricket Board to deal with the situation as they see fit when we return," said team manager Goolam Rajah.

The tour concludes with the final one-day international in St Vincent on Wednesday.