Former Proteas batsman Stiaan van Zyl has ‘not written off South African cricket entirely’, as he returns from a lengthy injury layoff.

Van Zyl, who gathered the last of his dozen Tests in August 2016 before pursuing a career as a Kolpak cricketer in the United Kingdom, has not played competitive cricket since May 2018, due to a knee injury.

He will return to action for Sussex in County Championship competition later this year, but likely won’t feature for the Cape Cobras as frequently as in the past. He last represented the Cobras in March 2018.

‘I might play one format, but I won’t do a whole season back home, because I now realise I have to take a break somewhere. Sussex is my main contract. I want to play for the club for a few more years yet, and hopefully this approach will add a few years to my county career,’ he told Sussex’s official website.

The 31-year-old recently became a Western Province Cricket Association premier league umpire – and officiated some key fixtures, including Claremont Cricket Club versus Rondebosch Cricket Club.

‘Umpiring is my long-term goal after cricket. This break was the perfect opportunity to do my exams and to stand on weekends. I would like to go into umpiring full-time when I retire in six or eight years’ time and give back to the game a little bit,’ he added.

Photo: Gallo