Hampshire’s Kolpak players affected as rules change for 2021 domestic cricket season due to Brexit

Kyle Abbott's status as a Kolpak players ends after the 2020 season due to Brexit. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images.

Teams are currently allowed to field only one imported player, though foreign-born players with British passports and those on Kolpak registrations have not counted towards the allocation.

The effects of Brexit mean Kolpak deals will be terminated at the end of the postponed 2020 campaign meaning those players - as well as those who have had deals cancelled this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic - will now have a greater chance to earning deals.

The change in the rules could certainly affect Hampshire.

In 2019 Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw and Fidel Edwards all played on Kolpak contracts.

At times, all three played in the same Championship side alongside an overseas player - either Aidan Markram or Ajinkya Rahane.

But in 20201 only two of Abbott, Rossouw or Edwards can play in the same XI.

The latest move was recommended by the performance cricket committee, chaired by Sir Andrew Strauss.

A statement from the ECB, whose formal terminology deems overseas professionals as 'unqualified', said: ‘First-Class Counties will be permitted to field a total of two unqualified cricketers in the same match in the County Championship and Royal London Cup from 2021.

‘This represents an increase from the one unqualified cricketer that First-Class Counties are currently permitted to field in those two competitions.

‘The Vitality Blast will remain unchanged, with First-Class Counties already permitted to field two Unqualified cricketers in the 20-over competition.’

The decision operates in direct contrast to a recent suggestion by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who advocated a temporary halt to all overseas deals in a bid to save the game money the aftermath of Covid-19.

Strauss, also a distinguished England skipper and more recently director of men's cricket at the ECB, explained: ‘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.

‘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.

‘An increase in Unqualified cricketers allows First-Class Counties to maintain that standard while also enabling them to plan and prepare for next summer.’