Opinion: Montrose pick Parnell – good or bad for club cricket?

Wayne ParnellFile image: Wayne Parnell.

Reaction to Proteas seamer Wayne Parnell’s presence in Montrose Cricket Club’s squad for Saturday, 8 April 2017’s Western Province Cricket Association first division A Ama20 Competition final against Milnerton Cricket Club has been mixed.

Some support the selection of the international all-rounder at club level, which will arguably boost the connection between club and professional cricket.

Others believe Montrose Cricket Club are not acting in the best interest of club cricket by fielding a player of international calibre at amateur level.

Food for thought, though – what if Milnerton Cricket Club recruited the services of, say, batsman Dane Vilas for the final; would the general sentiment be the same?

For that matter, what if Northerns Goodwood Cricket Club recruited, for example, fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt for Sunday’s first division B final against Helderberg Cricket Club?

It’s important to note Parnell is an official member of Montrose Cricket Club.

“Wayne probably won’t play for us much, but it’s good to have him around when he is available. We won’t be paying him anything. He is a community guy. He is in it for the love of the game and the club,” Montrose Cricket Club chairman Razeen Allie told Club Cricket SA in September 2015.

For additional context, Proteas seamers Dale Steyn played  for Western Province Cricket Club – and Proteas team-mate Vernon Philander played for Tygerberg Cricket Club – last year.