Three SA stars snub Cobras
2008-06-12 22:13
Altus Momberg
Cape Town - South African cricket stars Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Ashwell Prince are moving from the Cape Cobras to the Eastern Cape Warriors.
This appears to be the outcome of a decision by the Cobras not to select the trio for the Pro20 semi-final against the Titans late last season.
To see Kallis depart will come as a surprise to Cape cricket fans. His road to the top began when he played for the Western Province Under-13s and he made his senior provincial debut when he played for the WP B team at the age of 18.
However, he played only occasionally for the Cobras during recent years. Two years ago, he also discussed a possible move to the Titans.
The star allrounder has been sponsored by General Motors for years; the same company that sponsors the Warriors.
Kallis was quoted in a Warriors statement on Thursday as saying he was looking forward to scoring many runs and taking wickets for his new team.
However, because of the national squad's itinerary during the next few years Kallis is unlikely to play in many matches for the Warriors.
Prince declined to state his reasons for moving but it has been said that he was upset about not being offered a benefit year after ten years with Western Province and the Cobras.
Changed affiliation
The left-hander grew up in Port Elizabeth but moved to the Western Cape ten years ago after signing a contract with WP.
Prince has been a loyal player and he captained WP when the team won the SuperSport series in the season of 2003/'04.
Boucher played for Border and the Warriors until the start of last season but changed affiliation because he had been living in the Western Cape for several years.
However, the veteran Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman never played for the Cobras.
Members of the national squad were available to represent their franchises in the semi-finals of the Pro20 competition after the tour of India.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith and JP Duminy were the only players selected to play for the Cobras against the Titans.
The Cobras lost the match, and they have now also lost three international players.
It is unlikely that the trio will move to the Eastern Cape. They will probably commute whenever they play for the Warriors.
- Die Burger