Uncertainty over Brexit has "prompted an exodus of South Africa players to county cricket on Kolpak contracts, with more expected to agree terms before the start of the season," according to Richard Hobson of the LONDON TIMES. François Brink, who brokered Stiaan van Zyl’s move to Sussex, said that "he advised the all-rounder to sign the three-year deal because the route may be shut once Britain leaves the EU." Concerns within Cricket South Africa at the loss of test players "escalated amid reports that Kyle Abbott is close to joining Hampshire." Kolpak status "precludes a player from representing his or her country" and South Africa will be "concerned" over the future of Abbott, 29, who opened the bowling in South Africa's second of three tests against Sri Lanka. As well as Van Zyl, who has played 12 tests, the int'l pair of Hardus Viljoen and Simon Harmer have "agreed Kolpak terms" with Derbyshire and Essex, respectively. The director of cricket at one "leading" county reported "a rush of interest from South African players and representatives at the end of last season" before a "quieter period" leading into Christmas. The source said, "Brexit certainly made people ask questions" (LONDON TIMES, 1/5). REUTERS' Mark Gleeson reported Abbott announced his retirement from int'l cricket on Thursday to play in England, "catching his employers by surprise." Abbott quit immediately after South Africa's victory over Sri Lanka in the second test in Cape Town, saying that "he had made the difficult decision to sign a four-year contract with Hampshire to ensure his financial security." He will be joined in southern England by batsman Rilee Rossouw, a one-day specialist, who also announced he was "effectively quitting" the int'l game on Thursday (REUTERS, 1/5).
COACH, CEO CRITICAL: The PA reported South Africa head coach Russell Domingo "criticised" Rossouw after he joined Abbott in signing a Kolpak deal with Hampshire. Domingo said, "We got an email off his [Rossouw] iPhone yesterday telling us he has signed Kolpak. He spelt my name wrong for starters -- he put one 'L' instead of two. So that's where we are. I'm very disappointed in him. ... We invested massively in him and we're very disappointed in his decision." CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat described the decisions as "a disappointing day not just for South African cricket but also for international cricket" (PA, 1/5).
