Western Province contract David Bedingham again

David Bedingham cricketDavid Bedingham.

Western Province have contracted batsman David Bedingham ahead of South Africa’s 2023-24 domestic season.

Bedingham exited Western Province’s contract list in early 2020 to pursue a career with Durham in county cricket and potentially qualify for England.

Last month, he stated intention to debut for South Africa in international cricket rather than England – and has since signed a contract with Western Province again.

“I’d qualify as a local here in another two years, but by that stage I’ll be 31 years old, and while I’d still have some time left I think my best years are now,” the 29-year-old Bedingham told the PA news agency in March 2023.

“That’s why I’m committed to playing for South Africa, I’ve made up my mind. Another two years just seems too late.

“If I am doing well and scoring runs and I can’t play for England or South Africa, that’s just a waste. I’m not sure if I’ll do well at that level, nobody can be sure, but I want to give myself that chance.

“You don’t want to be 33, looking back, wishing you’d given it a shot rather than waiting, waiting, waiting and finding your best years are gone.

It’s about saying I gave it a shot. Just getting to that stage and seeing if I can handle the pressure, the glamour, the lights.

Get Club Cricket SA news on Whatsapp

Bedingham joined Durham the same year the United Kingdom exited the European Union. Spinner Simon Harmer, all-rounder Wayne Parnell and fast bowler Duanne Olivier, who were all Kolpak cricketers, have since returned for South Africa in international cricket.

“It has been frustrating. Because I’ve been on an ancestral visa and I almost signed as Kolpak player before Brexit happened,” he added.

“I think a lot of the South African public, and maybe the selectors, thought ‘oh, he’s English now’. But as soon as Brexit happened it changed things, for people like Olivier, Harmer, Parnell.

“I was planning to stay here my whole life basically but things happened, Brexit happened, and it opens up other doors. I think everyone is aware now that I wasn’t, so it’s up to me to enjoy myself and score some runs.”

Western Province, meanwhile, have lost batsman Zubayr Hamza, spinner Junaid Dawood and seamer Tshepo Moreki. They have joined the Lions. Seamer Mthiwekhaya Nabe has returned to Western Province from the Warriors.

Western Province have signed all-rounder Juan James on a rookie contract. James has returned from North West.

MORE latest SA domestic cricket news