Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw end their career with South Africa

Abbott and Rossouw decided to take Kolpak route out of South Africa

It’s the end of Kyle Abbott’s international career following the second Test against Sri Lanka after talks with Cricket South Africa failed to talk him out from accepting a Kolpak deal with Hampshire.

(Who is a Kolpak player? A player becomes eligible to sign for a county under the Kolpak deal only after he gives up his right to play for his country. According to rules, a Kolpak player must not have represented his country in the past 12 months and during the period of his contract with a county, he will not be eligible to represent his country. The Kolpak players will be eligible to play for England after plying their trade in the country for four years.)

“That was not the way we wanted it,” Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s captain, said after the conclusion of the second Test. “It was something that we didn’t expect and it was out of our control. We did get together and spoke to Kyle and tried to change his mind. Kyle had already set up what he wanted to do. Then it was just about me making sure the boys were focused on the job at hand. The boys were brilliant. Even Kyle. He wanted to make sure everything was about the team. I’m a little bit upset that Kyle couldn’t get one or two wickets. Would have liked to see him do well in his last outing. Also read: All you need to know about Kolpak cricketers.

Addressing the broader issues which have led to Abbott’s decision to turn his back on international cricket at the age of 29, du Plessis said there were factors that needed to be addressed.

“It’s a red flag,” he said. “We have to address it. As the Proteas and as CSA, we need to make sure it doesn’t happen. It is always going to be a challenge. The foreign currency is something that will always be there. It’s too important and too valuable to say that whatever happens, happens and there will be players to fill the gap. That’s not good enough.

“Opportunity, money, transformation. There are a lot of factors guys will look at as their excuse or as their reason. What Kyle’s is, I am not sure. Every single reason is a concern. He is someone who has not been sure for a period of time. He wants security.”

On the reasons for Abbott not being given the final Test, du Plessis said: “I want him playing for South Africa. He is not going to be part of our team so if he is not going to be part of our team, its time to move on. I respect his decision but I don’t agree with it.”

“Six months ago, I could have understood it more. Sitting here today, I don’t understand it as well. I am extremely surprised. I care so much about him that I want him to play for South Africa, I want him to do well and perform on the biggest stage of the world because I think he is an amazing cricketer and that’s the place to be. I am disappointed for those reasons.”

It is believed that Abbott’s will sign a three years County Cricket deal and with the series already decided, it is understood the selectors viewed Abbott’s awaiting exit as a prospect to bring another bowler ahead of tours to New Zealand and England later this year.

Several other South Africans are believed to be considering similar options to Abbott, with Rilee Rossouw among the names linked to an impending county deal.

“I can confirm that I have agreed and signed a 3 year deal with Hampshire Cricket. Deciding to leave South Africa is something I have thought long and hard about and moving to England will give me and my family the long term career security that I believe is important at this stage of my life. I have loved representing the Proteas and will watch from afar with great affection every time they take the field from now on but I am hugely dedicated to making Hampshire cricket successful on the field,” said Rossouw.