English Counties Allowed To Field Two Overseas Players From Next Year
Updated - 04 Jul 2020, 12:51 AM
England’s first-class county teams will be allowed to field two, rather than one, overseas players from next year’s domestic championship and Royal London Cup. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the news on Friday.
Teams are currently able to select only one overseas player – except for the two permitted in the 20-over competition. However, with Kolpak deals coming to an end at the end of the year following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, the ECB has decided to change the rule. The ECB changed the rule after a recommendation by the Performance Cricket Committee.
“There is an important balance to be struck to ensure the need for good foreign players in county cricket and providing opportunity for nine England-qualified players in each county team,” the ECB’s Performance Cricket Committee (PCC) chair Andrew Strauss said in a statement.
“There are clearly long-established benefits for our domestic players to compete against and learn from the best players from across the world in addition to providing high-quality domestic cricket for county members and fans to enjoy,” he added.
Counties have been allowed only one ‘unqualified’ player on the pitch since the rule was changed for the 2008 season, partly to offer more first-team opportunities for young players eligible to play for England.
Meanwhile, England are currently gearing up for the return of cricket at their home. England will host West Indies for a three-Test series this month with the first match starting on July 8. The much-anticipated series will mark the return of international cricket since the pandemic halted the game across the world in March.
