Marchant de Lange has ruled himself out of playing for the Proteas by signing a three-year contract with English county side Glamorgan.
The 26-year-old paceman, who had a fantastic campaign with the Knights this past season as he took 59 wickets across all three formats, has signed for Glamorgan as a non-overseas player.
His wife is a UK passport holder, and he was granted a UK visa. Glamorgan had initially wanted to sign De Lange as a Kolpak player, but he didn’t meet the criteria. Playing on a UK visa gives him the freedom to play in all three formats for Glamorgan, but he would have to sign as an overseas player should he want to play domestic cricket in South Africa.
‘I’m done with international cricket. That’s a chapter in my life I’m closing,’ De Lange said in a conversation with BBC Sport.
‘My goals are different and I’m eager to be part of a county team. I haven’t been picked in the last five years. My commitment, vision and goals have changed.’
He will, however, return to South Africa to continue his duties as a Knights cricketer.
‘Basically, if I go back, I’ll play as an overseas player. I’m a local over here now, which is nice to say,’ he added.
De Lange played two Tests for the Proteas between 2011 and 2012, taking 7-81 on his debut. He also played four ODIs and six T20 Internationals, last featuring for them against England in February 2016. The move means he’s cut his ties with the Proteas. He would need to give up his county deal or re-register as an overseas player should he want to play for them again.
‘He’s got a bit of X-factor, he’s a match-winner,’ said Glamorgan head coach Robert Croft. ‘He’s got pace, and he’s got aggression.
‘He’s at the right age and stage of his career to come across here and make an impact for us.
‘When you’re looking at winning matches in four-day cricket, 20 wickets is the challenge and he’s a wicket-taker, but his form in one-day cricket has been very good as well.’
De Lange follows a growing list of South African players to England, including Hampshire’s Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott, Hardus Viljoen of Derbyshire, Simon Harmer of Essex, Sussex’s David Wiese and Stiaan van Zyl, and Dane Vilas of Lancashire.
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