Hashim Amla: 4 other South Africans who went the Kolpak way in England

Former South Africa batsman Hashim Amla signed a two-year Kolpak contract with Surrey Cricket on Tuesday. Amla said that he was very excited to be joining Surrey. He is another addition to a long list of South African players to sign the Kolpak deal. Over the years, a number of prominent cricketers have signed a Kolpak deal. 

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The players who turn to a Kolpak deal are the ones who are out of the reckoning when it comes to national selection or they have retired from international cricket. They turn to play domestic cricket in England mainly for financial gains or their love for the game while some players decide to head in the direction of an EU nation in hopes of advancing their career prospects. Players who have been at their peak also have taken the Kolpak path, sometimes to re-establish themselves on the cricketing scene, sometimes due to disputes with their boards, while for some, county cricket is a better career option as compared to national duty. Let us have a look at a few other prominent cricketers who have signed a Kolpak deal in recent times:

4. Marchant de Lange

De Lange, a tall fast bowler with genuine pace, took seven for 81 in his first Test innings against Sri Lanka in 2011, but he played only one more match after that. In addition, he played four ODIs and six T20Is. He was signed by Glamorgan, which was then led by the former Protea batsman Jacques Rudolph. de Lange also featured for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL at one point of time.

3. Wayne Parnell

South Africa’s Wayne Parnell signed a three-year contract with Worcestershire in 2018 that ended the 29-year-old all-rounder’s Proteas career.  He stated that he fell out of favour and wad sidelined from the team, which made him take this decision. Parnell represented the Proteas in six Tests from 2010-2017, with best bowling figures of 4-51 against Sri Lanka. He also wore the South African jersey in 65 ODIs and 40 T20Is.

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2. Kyle Abbott

Right-arm seamer Abbott had played as an overseas signing in 2014 for Hampshire and returned in 2017 to play as a home player on a four-year deal after retiring from international cricket. Abbott represented South Africa in 11 Tests alongside 28 ODIs (which included the World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand) and 21 T20Is.

1. Rilee Rossouw

Rilee Rossouw quit international cricket and signed Kolpak deal with Hampshire on a three-year deal. Rossouw played 36 ODIs and 15 T20 internationals. His last act as an international cricketer was to score a 122 at Newlands where South Africa beat Australia in a 5-0 ODI whitewash and he won the Player of the Series award.

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