Director of cricket Graeme Smith is receptive to welcoming players back to the Proteas’ Test, ODI and T20I XIs after Kolpak contracts have been nullified by the United Kingdom’s departure of the European Union. Which Kolpak cricketers should the Proteas have return – and who isn’t required?
Duanne Olivier: Yes
- Olivier’s first full season in county cricket was, admittedly, disappointing. He’d be a welcome returnee to a Test bowling attack that will be without veteran Vernon Philander and doesn’t want to be overuse fast bowler Anrich Nortje.
Wayne Parnell: Yes
- Parnell copped plenty of criticism during a stop-start seven years in international cricket. Not excellent, but never overly bad in the past, the hard-hitting all-rounder could be a solid asset to the T20I squad, especially alongside fellow left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks.
Heino Kuhn: No
- Kuhn’s time at the top of the Test batting order was arguably too short-lived and, at 36 years old, there are a younger options to invest in for the future. He bedded in well at Kent and long may that continue.
Marchant de Lange: No
- De Lange collected a dozen appearances, across all three formats, over five years for the Proteas. ‘My commitment, vision and goals have changed,’ he told the BBC a couple of years ago. So be it. The Proteas’ loss can remain Glamorgan’s gain.
Rilee Rossouw: Yes
- Rossouw has become a houseohold name in T20 leagues around the world. February 2020’s century for the Multan Sultans against a strong Quetta Gladiators XI in the Pakistan Super League was a timely reminder of what he could again offer the Proteas’ limited-overs plans.
Simon Harmer: Yes
- Harmer is evidently South Africa’s most outspoken Kolpak cricketer. Some of his statements haven’t helped relations with Cricket South Africa. But walk is more important than talk. He’s done exactly that, as the most prolific first-class cricketer in the world in 2018 and as successful in 2019.
Also No: Kyle Abbott, David Wiese, Stiaan van Zyl, Colin Ingram.