CSA disappointed over Paterson's oncoming Kolpak deal
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|| CF Correspondent ||
Cricket South Africa [CSA] Director Graeme Smith admitted that he is surprised and disappointed to hear that pacer Dane Paterson is going to sign a Kolpak deal.
Earlier Paterson was reported to be in the process of signing a Kolpak deal but was waiting from England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] approval.
According to the English media, the 31-year-old right-arm pacer is set to sign for Nottinghamshire.
Paterson has played two Tests, four ODIs and eight Twenty20s for the Proteas since his debut in 2017.
He played for South Africa last in earlier this year the two Test matches against England.
Smith however admitted that despite talks with Paterson, there wasn't anything CSA could do.
"Having been a part of the Dane Paterson conversation, I think a lot of this lies with the Cape Cobras... we were almost attempted to be pushed to giving him a national contract and it was taken to the selectors. They felt that Dane wasn't in that discussion and then it falls on the franchises to then handle the contract discussion (with Dane)," Smith told reporters in a video press conference.
"His previous contract has always been with the Cobras so I don't understand why.
"The national process has been the same for a number of years and he hasn't had a national contract. Maybe he created an expectation of being a part of the Test squad," said Smith.
"There hasn't been enough communication from him, which has been disappointing. We don't want to lose players. With Kolpak deals coming to an end (this year), it was a surprising decision for me."
Meanwhile, CSA CEO Jacques Faul said that they can't do much to keep players.
"People leave on their own accord, nobody forces a player to take a contract abroad," said Faul.
"I'm not sure what we can do on a national side, you can communicate with them and indicate that they are in consideration, but it is difficult to give guarantees on playing. We all want to retain the best players for South Africa..."
England's decision to leave the European Union will reportedly nullify Kolpak deals beyond December 2020.
In this case, English county sides can only sign two overseas players in all domestic formats.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the County Championship has been postponed until 28 May.
