As
far as I can work out, the loophole which allows cricketers and other sportsmen
from particular nations to work in the UK as non-overseas players will no
longer exist when we leave the EU. What’s your view on that one, Boris?
The
Kolpak issue has divided cricket fans ever since 2004 when the likes of Claud
Henderson and Greg Smith led a mainly South African migration into the county
game. They were mostly ex-internationals with talent and experience but little
hope of breaking into the Proteas’ squad, and many felt they were mercenaries
depriving locals from work opportunities and probably stealing our women, too.
However,
they were frequently filling gaps left by the central contact system. When the
ECB in their wisdom ruled that England stars could represent their counties only
with the big cheeses’ express permission, supporters had fewer reasons to
attend matches at their local ground. However, it was the smaller, Division Two
clubs like Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Somerset who were quickest to
take advantage.
While
the new breed of foreign imports didn’t exactly set the domestic game alight like
a Warne or Jayasuriya, many became popular county servants and influential
captains in all formats. Andrew Hall and Nicky Boje were excellent for
Northants, Charl Willoughby and Alfonso Thomas took shedloads of wickets for
Somerset and Martin van Jaarsveld was a leading run scorer over several seasons
in Division One.
Jacques
Rudolph proved so reliable for Yorkshire, he relinquished his Kolpak status to play
for his country, and this also happened to others. Nevertheless Kolpakers from
SA and the West Indies have made significant contribution to Championship
successes in recent years. It was under Dale Benkenstein's captaincy that Durham won their first ever pennant. Ashwell Prince, Alviro Petersen and Kyle Jarvis were
superb for Lancashire, while Simon Harmer’s spin was crucial for Essex’s title
challenge. Colin Ingram has kept Glamorgan afloat many a time, while Hampshire’s
Kyle Abbott and Fidel Edwards currently form one of the top new-ball pairings
in Division One.
It’s
great to see young players emerge from the age-group county cricket or club
system but the number of Kolpakers in recent years has hardly been excessive.
Also if youngsters benefit from advice and coaching of the experienced imports
then it has to be a positive. What will be the result of a ‘No Deal Brexit’?
Will such players be sent packing or could there be a backstop which even the
DUP can support? If the Kolpak contingent is removed, will they be missed? Of
course, but county cricket will go on.
