David Wiese on verge of signing a Kolpak with Sussex

A couple of days after South African pacer Kyle Abbott and opening batsman Rilee Rossouw ended their terms with South African cricket and signed Kolpak deals to play for England county club Hampshire reports suggest that allrounder David Wiese is also on the verge of signing a Kolpak with Sussex.

Like Abbott and Rossouw – Wiese hasn’t been able to guarantee himself a place in the team despite impressive performances. The 31-year-old made his debut in 2015 and has played 6 ODIs. He first played a T20I for the Proteas in 2013 and has since featured in 20 matches. Considering T20 is his major format he has picked 24 wickets with the best bowling figures of 5/23.

He isn’t just a bowler and a more than useful hand with the bat, Wiese was a part of the South African team for the World T20 2016 in India as well and has featured for major teams in domestic Twenty20 leagues around the world including the Indian Premier League where he plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Caribbean Premier League with the Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors.

ESPNcricinfo reported that Wiese has informed his domestic side Titans about the deal but CEO Jacques Faul said there was “no official confirmation” about his deal with Sussex. Interestingly Weber van Wyk the agent who cracked deals for Abbott and Rossouw is working with Wiese.

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Earlier CSA had cancelled Abbott’s contract since he signed the Kolpak and chief executive Haroon Lorgat had said, “If somebody gives up their right to play for the Proteas, there’s not much more we can do,” said Lorgat, “Instead of crying over spilt milk, we will invest in future Proteas.”

Abbott on his part had said, “It has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make but it is the right decision for me,” he said after the conclusion of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka.

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“There have been a few evenings where I have gone to sleep wondering if I made the right decision and woken up in the morning knowing I have. The last few months [since I made the decision], it’s about playing with the weight off my shoulders. In the last few months, I have never felt far away from being dropped. I’ve now played thinking if I do, it doesn’t matter. I am really enjoying it. If I wasn’t committed to South African cricket, I would have done this a long time ago.

“February would be four years since my international debut. Ever since I played in South Africa, at every level, there has always been a quota system. I have never used it as an excuse and I won’t now. I need to pay bills, I need to buy groceries.” He tried to explain his side.