Somerset cancels Vernon Philander's contract due to COVID-19 outbreak

Vernon Philander, the former Proteas all-rounder bid adieu to international cricket earlier this year after playing Test series against England. Soon after that, he signed a Kolpak deal with Somerset. Now, his county team has officially announced that his contract has been cancelled amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Cricket associations across the globe have been hit hard financially after coronavirus came into the picture. Majority of the cricketing series and tournaments have been postponed for an indefinite period keeping the safety of the players in mind. This is the reason due to which every cricket board has suffered huge losses. And, they desperately want the game to resume as soon as possible in order to recover the losses incurred.

Somerset Director of Cricket wants Vernon Philander to play for them in the future

Philander, the 35-year-old all-rounder was all set to join Somerset in the upcoming county season. However, now, he will not play for the county side as his contract has been cancelled.

Andy Hurry, Director of Somerset cricket said that it is a difficult time for all the county side as there is no cricket action till July 1. According to him, the tournament officials might also reduce the length of the tournament going into the future. He thanked Vernon Philander and his management team for co-operating with the Somerset Cricket Board. Hurry also added that one day he wants the former Proteas player to play for Somerset donning their jersey in county cricket.

“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 County Ground, but given the current uncertainty, the cancellation of his contract was a prudent and sensible decision.”

“I would like to thank Vernon and his management team for their understanding of the current situation and we hope one day to see Vernon back wearing Somerset colours,” Director of Cricket at Somerset, Andy Hurry said in a statement as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The 35-year-old played 64 Tests, 30 ODIs and 7 T20Is in which he grabbed a total of 269 international wickets.