Marchant de Lange close to agreeing a Kolpak deal with Glamorgan

26-year old South African bowler Marchant de Lange is reportedly close to agreeing on a Kolpak deal with England county side Glamorgan. The negotiations between the county and the player are seemingly at an ‘advanced stage’ and it could very well be no more South African cricket as far as de Lange is concerned.

To be fair to the pacer, he has not really had a proper chance when it comes to performing for his country. In addition, injuries have also played their part in the career of de Lange that has also seen him only be a part of the side for four ODIs and two Tests.

However, the reason for signing the Kolpak deal would be for perhaps the similar reason as Kyle Abbott. While Abbott has impressed quite a bit, he has usually been in and out of the side due to the racial reservations within the South African team.

These reservations have denuded South Africa of a lot of talent with many of these players choosing to sign the deals with these county sides in favor of playing cricket on a much more regular basis. Alviro Petersen, a one-time successful opener for South Africa also has signed a deal with a county club, thereby not permitting him to play for South Africa.

Batsmen Colin Ingram and Stiaan van Zyl, spinner Simon Harmer and fast bowler Hardus Viljoen are other Proteas players who also recently signed Kolpak deals. Jacques Rudolph, a left-handed batsman who had a pretty decent start to his international career also was banned from playing for South Africa after signing a Kolpak deal.

However, once he completed the contract, which lasts to a period of four years, he came back and played a few games for South Africa before taking a call to retire from the game.