David Leatherdale, the Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) in England, has described the recent swathe of Kolpak signings by counties as 'disappointing'. In recent weeks, six high-profile South African players have signed long-term contracts with counties and more are expected to follow suit, opening a debate as to whether this will negatively affect the chances of young English players.
The impact of Britain leaving the European Union, and the uncertainty this will mean for players' future employment opportunities as well as the far better salaries on offer in England - as much as three times the level South African franchises can offer - have led to an increased number of Kolpak signings being announced. Players are wanting to get in while they still can.
"The situation in South Africa is a concern not only for the PCA but for the game as a whole," Leatherdale exclusively told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (January 10). "The combination of South Africa's present selection policy and the fact that South African players are entitled to play here as Kolpak registrations has led to a number of them to secure their futures by signing with counties. Uncertainty over the implications of the 'Brexit' for Kolpak players and those with EU passports have also exacerbated the situation."
"It is hugely disappointing that some counties have felt the need to sign players as Kolpaks or on EU passports instead of developing and producing home-grown players themselves for the future benefit of English cricket."
Sussex, Hampshire, Essex and Derbyshire have all signed South African players on Kolpak contracts this winter and Cricbuzz understands there are at least three more players looking for county deals with one close to being completed.
The worry for the PCA is that an influx of Kolpak players will reduce the opportunities for home-grown players to develop in county cricket. Following the 2008 season, when there were upwards of 60 Kolpak players or EU passport holders playing in the county game, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced incentives for counties to play more England qualified players in order to reduce the attractiveness of Kolpak players.
Those incentives remain but the PCA is concerned that with Brexit looming the number is once again on the rise. "There has been a significant reduction in the number of Kolpak and players with EU passports playing county cricket since the England and Wales Cricket Board introduced Performance Related Fee Payments to incentivise counties to play more home-grown players," said Leatherdale.
"However we are concerned that the number appears to have risen again in recent months and other South African players are being linked with moves to county cricket. It is a situation that gives us cause for concern and one that we will continue to monitor."
Last season, around four per cent of county players were registered as Kolpak players or held EU passports and despite the recent announcements, that number should continue to be comfortably less than 10 per cent of the more than 400 registered professionals in the country.
....
