Cape Cobras head coach Ashwell Prince has effectively blamed Cricket South Africa for batsman David Bedingham’s decision to join Durham in English county cricket.
Bedingham will soon pursue a career in England, starting with a season-long stint with Durham.
‘It’s about opportunity, it’s about uncertainty for the players. We tried everything to keep David here,’ said Prince.
‘In my honest opinion he has a better chance to play international cricket for South Africa if he had to stay. It’s high time that CSA sits down and look at things a little bit closer and get to the fact of the matter of why players are leaving, don’t beat around the bush, that’s where we’re at.
‘I have a good understanding why he left, if anyone at CSA has spoken to him, they will also understand the reason. If I have to criticise, people who can play at the highest level cannot just be seen around every corner, you just don’t see it; it’s one percent of players who can play at the highest level.
‘Not everybody can play at that level and yes, there’s no guarantee that David could go on to play at the highest level, but in my opinion I feel that he had a good chance to play international cricket.
‘Some people might say he has not done enough yet, but you can argue that he should at least be around the SA A squads at the very least and he hasn’t had an opportunity at that level. The reality is that we can’t keep pretending there is nothing wrong.’
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen recently suggested CSA interim director of cricket Graeme Smith approach the England and Wales Cricket Board to allow cricketers bound to Kolpak contracts to play for the Proteas.
Currently, international cricketers who have signed Kolpak contracts in the United Kingdom are not allowed to compete in Test, ODI or T20I competition.
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