Former South Africa U19 and Cape Cobras fast bowler Michael Cohen has rejected a contract offer from the Western Province Cricket Association.

Cohen was contracted for the 2018-19 season, but was the obvious omission when the 2019-20 list was published last month.

‘Yes, I didn’t accept a provincial contract offer from Western Province. Not being contracted facilitates a lot of freedom. I turned the contract down on good terms. I don’t think my decision will have a negative influence on my relationship with Western Province and the management,’ Cohen told Club Cricket SA.

‘For my own development, right now, I need to find an environment in which I can develop. You need to be with supportive coaches in that environment in order to speed up the process.

‘I think they understand and respect my decision. I took time to think about it, and after a lot of consideration I decided to decline the contract.’

The 20-year-old played three first-class matches for the Cobras in 2017-18. He was particularly impressive en route to a maiden five-wicket haul in franchise cricket against the Warriors at Newlands.

He has not played for the Cobras since. The Cape Town-based franchise, meanwhile, have recruited left-arm seamer Nandre Burger from the Lions.

‘I feel, being young, at 20 years old, I have a bit more time than players like, say, Nandre, who is two or three years older than me, to really take a step back and look at my own game and develop over the next year. The recent signings by the Cobras almost represented a block for my progression,’ added Cohen.

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