Somerset County Cricket Cricket Club decided to cancel the Kolpak deal that they had asked Vernon Philander to sign.
Vernon Philander becomes the first non-overseas player whose contract had been cancelled amid COVID-19. Philander signed a Kolpak deal with Somerset after he ended his career with South Africa. However, due to the virus outbreak as well as some cost-cutting measures, all Kolpak deals were announced to be voided at the end of the year.
Supposedly, Philander will join Somerset in early April. However, due to the global circumstances, cricket was put on hold until at least July 1 in England. This, therefore, led to the immediate cancellation of the contract.
As per Somerset’s director of cricket Andy Hurry, ‘These are clearly very uncertain and challenging times for all Counties with no cricket until at least the 1st July and the likelihood of a condensed and truncated season. It was such an exciting prospect to visualise Vernon returning to the Cooper Associates County Ground, but given the current uncertainty the cancellation of his contract was a prudent and sensible decision’.
The management also thanked Philander and his team for their understanding. Hurry also said that they are hopeful to see Philander wearing Somerset’s colours one day.
For now, the County Championship still remains to be postponed. Somerset also plays for the T20 Blast League. To know more about the T20 Blast League as well as other county cricket clubs, visit Betwala.
READ MORE: What is the T20 Blast League?
