JUST IN: Kyle Abbott lost to SA cricket
Kolpak deal for Abbott could see end to international career
REPORTS that Zululand cricket hero Kyle Abbott will leave South Africa and the Proteas have been confirmed.
Captain Faf du Plessis confirmed the news shortly after the second test match against Sri Lanka in Cape Town, which the Proteas won by a sound 282 runs.
Abbott (29) has agreed to a deal that will see him play for English county side Hampshire, reportedly for three or four years, effectively bringing a close to his international career.
Hampshire Cricket are delighted to announce the signings of Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw.
Full story: https://t.co/iaum5OUC8b pic.twitter.com/yo3nevHNmh
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) January 5, 2017
ESPN CricInfo reported the move on Wednesday, causing instant uproar when it emerged that Cricket South Africa was not even aware of the situation.
Abbott’s agent did meet with CSA on Wednesday, but it would appear they could not bring any guarantees to the table to make him stay.
The announcement, although highly speculated, did come as a bit of a shock as Abbott had performed well throughout the series so far, taking five wickets for 101 runs in the first test.
Overall, Abbott has played in seven of South Africa’s last 13 tests and taken 26 wickets at a very economical rate of 22.03.
Firdose Moonda, reporting for ESPN Cric Info, wrote that despite Abbott being consistent every time he was called up ‘…he played too infrequently to feel secure.’
A very emotional Kyle Abbott breaks down in his final press conference. He has signed his Kolpak deal. This was his last Test.
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) January 5, 2017
‘Some of it could not be helped. When Dale Steyn and Morné Morkel are fit, they remain automatic picks and South Africa cannot field an XI with five quicks, but some room should have been made for Abbott along the way,’ she wrote.
‘He should have played – perhaps in the Tests against New Zealand in August, perhaps in more ODIs. Perhaps he just needed a few more guarantees. It seems South Africa want to provide them now, even if it may be too late,’ Moonda concluded.
Abbott made his debut for the Proteas in 2013 against Pakistan, where he took nine wickets – the second best figures for a debut player in South African cricket history.
He waited a full year for his next call up.
• Reports also suggested that star batsman Rilee Rossouw will be lost to South African cricket as he also signed up for county cricket for Hampshire.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
