Former Proteas seamer Kyle Abbott is effectively open to a return to international competition, if Cricket South Africa extends the invite.

Abbott aborted a burgeoning Proteas career in early 2017 in favour of a Kolpak contract with Hampshire in English county cricket.

‘I’ve never ruled it out that I’d play cricket again in South Africa. But it would have to come from Cricket South Africa’s side. It wouldn’t be a decision I make,’ Abbott was quoted as saying by The Citizen.

‘You grow a lot in England. You go over there with a lot of responsibility and a lot of expectation. It’s the first time in my career that I’ve been handed a senior player role, not only from a bowling perspective but also as a leader.

‘Captaining Hampshire and also being named vice-captain – I’m afforded a lot of input. That’s something I didn’t feel I was going to get in local cricket.

The 32-year-old right-armer is currently playing for the Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League in South Africa, where acting director cricket Corrie van Zyl has been suspended and former captain Graeme Smith has formally withdrawn interest in the role.

‘It’s very hard to comment on a negative vibe here. I’m an outsider at the moment. I can only rely on what I read and everything is negative in the media. It normally is, even when the Proteas are doing well,’ added Abbott.

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