South African Test cricketer Dane Vilas and West Indies former veteran top-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul on Friday become the latest cricketers to sign the Kolpak deal.
The 31-year-old Cape Cobras wicket-keeper batsman Vilas has signed a two-year contract with English County Club Lancashire followed by the 41-year-old Chanderpaul as an overseas player.
“We’re delighted to bring two experienced international batsmen into the Club ahead of the new season. Shivnarine and Dane will form an important part of our side in 2017. We’re thrilled to be able to bring Shivnarine back,” Lancashire’s Head Coach Glen Chapple said.
The Johannesburg-born Vilas, who has featured in six Tests for Proteas has joined fast bowler Kyle Abbott, David Weise, Rilee Rossouw, Stiaan van Zyl, Hardus Viljoen and Simon Harmer.
“I’m relishing the opportunity of playing county cricket. It’s going to be a huge challenge. There are a lot of exciting players in the squad and we’ll be hoping to challenge for silverware in all competitions,” Vilas was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
Since past six months Vilas, who has played his last Test against England in January 2016, became the seventh player to sign the Kolpak deal from South Africa.
Vilas made his Test debut in 2015 against Bangladesh.
“The talented squad at Lancashire is very young and Shivnarine will bring a healthy level of experience to help guide them. Whilst Shivnarine will undoubtedly have an important role to play on the field, his role off the field will be of huge importance to our young players,” Chapple remarked.
While expressing concern over the numbers of Kolpak signings, Cricket South Africa (CSA), the board is likely to discuss limiting the signings as Kolpak players on Friday (January 27).
“I’m looking forward to passing on some of my experience to the younger players in the squad,” Chanderpaul said.
In 97 first-class matches, Vilas had scored 7557 at an average of 39.56 which included 12 hundreds and 24 half-centuries.
“Dane’s aggressive batting style will see him as an important part of our T20 and one-day sides in 2017‚ as well as four day cricket‚” Chapple added.
Former South African Test cricketers Alviro Petersen, who is serving the match-fixing ban and Ashwell Prince, were replaced by Vilas and Chanderpaul.
“Signing a player of Dane’s undoubted calibre and experience is a great boost as we continue our preparations ahead of the new season. He has an excellent record in First Class cricket and is a very good wicket keeper,” Chapple remarked.
The Guayana-born left-handed former batsman Chanderpaul has appeared in 164 Tests and 268 ODIs for West Indies. He has scored 11,867 and 8,778 runs respectively.