Sussex have welcomed the return of former Proteas batsman Stiaan van Zyl. He hasn’t played professional cricket since May 2018 due to a knee injury.

Van Zyl, who played a dozen Tests between 2014 and 2016 before pursuing a Kolkpak career in English county cricket, is currently in South Africa for Sussex’s pre-season tour.

The talented left-hander proved particularly impressive during a solid century against Kent at Stellenbosch University.

‘Stiaan is a great guy who loves to play cricket and be around our group. It has been great to have him back. He is a popular member of our squad and he is a class act with the bat,’ Sussex captain Ben Brown was quoted as saying by the Brighton and Hove Independent.

‘We joked with him when he was compiling that effortless match-winning knock against Kent that he looked a bit rusty. But he certainly looks ready to play well again.

‘Stiaan’s return definitely adds depth to the batting, but I really think there’s healthy competition for spots, and ultimately some good players will be left disappointed. But that’s good for the squad.

‘No-one can feel too comfortable this year, and that has certainly been reflected in the way the guys have trained and prepared in pre-season.’

Sussex’s opening County Championship Division Two fixture will be against Leicestershire in Hove, starting on 5 April 2019.

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