McLaren to play for Proteas?

2008-09-01 22:53

Altus Momberg

Cardiff - A possible contract to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year is apparently going to be used to lure Ryan McLaren back to South African cricket.

The Eagles all-rounder is currently playing as a Kolpak player for the English county Kent and is therefore not available for the Proteas.

But Die Burger has heard that the CEO of Cricket South Africa (CSA), Gerald Majola, will soon be contacting McLaren's agent, Arthur Turner, and that the Proteas team management are eager to attract McLaren back.

McLaren still has a two-year contract with Kent, and the county is likely to expect compensation if McLaren wishes to terminate his contract with them.

'Sit around a table'

McLaren said on Monday that it was definitely still a dream to play international cricket.

"However, it's difficult for me to talk about what's going to happen.

"I read the stories in the newspapers over the weekend, but no one has yet spoken to me. Hopefully we can sit around a table in the near future and clear up all the issues," he said on Monday.

McLaren would not be the first South African to exchange a Kolpak contract for a place in the national side.

Spinner Paul Harris was playing for Warwickshire when Proteas coach Mickey Arthur approached him. Harris is now a regular member of the Test squad.

Die Burger's information is that McLaren currently earns twice as much with Kent as a young player with a national contract does.

CSA could, therefore, approach Indian cricket bosses for a contract to play in the IPL to bridge that gap.

Potential to bat there

Arthur is very worried about the absence of all-rounders ready to be considered for the Proteas and believes that McLaren could fill a gap in the one-day side.

Arthur said: "However, I don't see him only as a one-day player. He could definitely also play a role in the Test squad.

"I'm still not entirely happy with the four lower-order batsmen in our Test squad. McLaren at No 8 would definitely help," Arthur said.

Before the tour the Proteas were hoping that Morne Morkel could become an effective No 8. But he wasn't at all successful, especially against the spinner Monty Panesar. He definitely has the potential to bat there in future, but not now.

- Die Burger