Abbott and Rossouw announced on Thursday that they had signed long-term Kolpak contracts with Hampshire to rule themselves out of representing the Proteas‚ but they still qualify to play for their South African franchises during the English off season.
Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa said on Friday that they will be meeting Abbott in the coming days to discuss a way for him to play for them.
“I was as shocked as everyone else when I heard the news on Thursday because this is a loss for the country and us‚ because he [Abbott] had just signed for us from the Dolphins a few months ago‚” Maketa said.
“We will give him a few days to let the storm that has erupted as a result of his decision to subside a little bit and engage how he can continue playing for us.
“I respect his decision because I am sure that he did not take it lightly.”
- WATCH: Kyle Abbott reduced to tears as he announces his retirement from international cricket Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday confirmed that they had reached a mutual agreement with fast bowler Kyle Abbott to terminate his contract with immediate effect after he signed a Kolpak contract with Hampshire for the 2017 season onwards.
Abbott played for the Warriors during the Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge but he could not help the Eastern Cape-based side to victory in the final; which they lost to Titans by six runs in the final at SuperSport Park in December.
In Bloemfontein‚ Free State Cricket Union (FSCU) chief executive Johan van Heerden also indicated that they would be seeking a meeting with Rossouw to find out if he would still be available to play for them.
“I was shocked when the news came out on Thursday because it was something that I did not expect‚” Van Heerden said of Rossouw’s decision.
“The issue now is that he agrees to continue playing for us. I would have to find money somewhere to pay him because he was being paid for by Cricket South Africa (CSA) as a national contracted player.
- Kolpak players to be culled in SACricket SA head Haroon Lorgat has hinted at the possibility of culling the number of Kolpak-contracted players in the South African domestic system.
“He is a huge loss for the game in the country because he is such a wonderful player who came through the ranks and proved that he was good enough to play international cricket.”
He added that he was hopeful that Rossouw would not turn his back completely on South Africa as his family is based in Bloemfontein.
“His wife is in the medical profession here in Bloemfontein and some members of his family are also here‚ so I doubt that he will relocate completely which will make it difficult for him to play for us‚” Van Heerden said.
- TMG Digital
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