His international career may be over, but Rory Kleinveldt kept the flag flying as the stand-out Saffa on the English County circuit this season.

Northants certainly appreciate his efforts, for they have extended his two-year contract for another year after he made significant contributions across all formats.

He helped the cash-strapped beleaguered county to the T20 Blast title and to the top of the North table in the One-Day Cup. In that competition, he scored 285 in five innings at an average of 95, while in the T20 he took 15 wickets at 19.73.

But in contrast, the question must be asked: Where to now for Kleinveldt’s teammate Richard Levi? He had a miserable, injury-wracked season with Northants. He played 27 innings across all formats, averaging 30.5 in first-class matches. His strength, in limited overs, was muted: he played just two one-day innings and from the 11 T20s, he averaged just 24, although he had a cracking strike rate of a shade under 152.

Colin Ingram, lost to South Africa when he decided to become a Kolpak player, was another who enhanced his CV. After an injury, he played only the limited overs formats, but he made a huge impact. He averaged 61, with 367 runs in seven one-day innings, and scored 502 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 164 in the T20s.

Alviro Petersen had a good run, knocking off 1 134 championship runs for Lancashire, and 455 in 12 T20 innings. He has an option for another year with the county, but after the birth of his second child in September, he is not sure if he will take it up.

Ryan McLaren is in a similar state of flux. He was parachuted in to help save Hampshire from relegation last year, and did so effectively that the county took him on again this year. But this time, they were not so fortunate and will play in the second division next year.

Nevertheless, he scored 832 at an average of 55, and took 32 wickets at 38.8.

Compiled by Mark Salter