The lawyer representing Salman Butt says the former Pakistan captain will not appear at a British court hearing into accusations of spot-fixing.
Yasin Patel told The Associated Press in an email on Thursday that Southwark Crown Court "has excused (Butt's) attendance" at Friday's hearing.
The other two cricketers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will appear.
The International Cricket Council has banned the trio for a minimum period of five years for bowling predetermined no-balls during a test match.
The three cricketers and businessman Mazhar Majeed are facing criminal charges for accepting corrupt payments. Majeed is accused of accepting 150,000 pounds ($242,000) during a sting by undercover newspaper reporters to arrange for the players to bowl no-balls.