The injury which has ended Duanne Olivier’s tour of England might just have opened the door for the recall of another former Kolpak player in Kyle Abbott.
Abbott has the advantage of already being in England, should the Proteas opt to call for a replacement for Olivier and, what’s more, he has been in great form.
The former Dolphins seamer has been tearing it up in the County Championship – and it seems almost foolish not to strike while the iron is hot.
Faced with a potential Bazball onslaught, South Africa could certainly use the experience and ability to execute under pressure that Abbott possesses.
Abbott is the leading wicket-taker in division one of County Championship this season already, snapping up 49 scalps in 11 matches for Hampshire.
South Africa will have to be clinical to put England away before the aggressive game played under new skipper Ben Stokes takes Test matches away from the Proteas.
Abbott and all-round ace
Hampshire might not appreciate the loss of their star man, but as an overseas professional and not a Kolpak player, Abbott is eligible to receive a call from Victor Mpitsang or Mark Boucher.
Abbott has taken 278 first-class wickets for Hampshire at an average of 19.52 over the course of the last six seasons and is the kind of bowler that can do some damage at Lord’s.
He grabbed headlines with his hat-trick against Gloucestershire a few weeks ago, so the selectors should be well aware of his presence and the potential value he brings to the team.
Little can compare to six seasons of first-class cricket in England, bowling with the Dukes ball. The loss of Olivier robbed the Proteas of a player who had his own experience of the English game at Yorkshire.
It might be seen as a bold move, however, it must be a tempting prospect to bring Abbott back into the Proteas fold and perhaps even hand him a Test return at Lord’s this week. Make the call, Victor.