South Africa pacer Dane Paterson set to sign a Kolpak deal to play County cricket

The South African cricket team has been struggling for the last 12 to 18 months now. The reasons are varied but the most defining one is still that several cricketers are moving to the United Kingdom on Kolpak deals. If we start listing out players who have decided to quit playing for South Africa for Kolpak deal, it would be quite huge. Dane Paterson, the South Africa all-rounder, who was starting to burst out on the international scene, could be the latest addition to that list.

On Monday, when Cape Cobras announced their list of contracted players for the 2020-21 season, Dane Paterson’s name was missing. It was quite surprising as he had represented South Africa only recently and was a key member of the Cobras’ franchise. Head coach Ashwell Prince later explained why Paterson missed out on a contract.

The former Proteas batsman told the media that Dane Paterson is really close in finalising a deal with a county which is believed to be Nottinghamshire according to Cricbuzz. “We’ve been informed he’s doing so. But he needs final boxes to be ticked by the ECB [England Cricket Board]. We’ve been told it’s going to be done,” Prince said.

Dane Paterson has played 4 ODIs, 8 T20Is and 2 Tests for South Africa

Dane Paterson had played two Tests against England in the recent Test series at home. He picked up four wickets in those two matches. But, he failed to make a cut in the subsequent ODI series’ against England and Australia. Prince cited the exclusion from the ODI squad as the reason for the all-rounder to go for a Kolpak deal.

Paterson has been in and out of the South African side for quite some time now. Apart from the two Tests in which he played against England, Paterson has just played in four ODIs and eight T20Is since his international debut in early 2017.

Dane Paterson would be the last of many South Africans players to benefit from the Kolpak ruling. This allows players from countries which have trade deals with the European Union to play any sport in the EU without being named as the overseas players.

As Britain has broken its association with the European Union, Kolpak deals in England will expire once the 2020 season comes to an end. The season has been postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus. In Paterson’s case though, the county is seeking approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). If the approval doesn’t come, then the county will sign him as an overseas pro.