Simon Harmer speaks about the possibility of playing for the England cricket team
Simon Harmer hopes he could make a comeback on the international circuit
South Africa’s off-spin bowler Simon Harmer has finally opened up on his chances of representing England in the international circuit. Harmer was one among the handful of South African players whose cricket career in England ended due to Brexit.
The spinner made his Test debut for Proteas in 2015. However, the lack of opportunities in his country made Harmer sign the Kolpak deal with Essex in 2017.
The Kolpak deal allowed overseas players from specific countries to play county cricket in England without having the tag of foreign players. The players were also eligible for a national selection and England citizenship after a certain period of time.
Harmer’s views on the Kolpak agreement
There has been a lot of debates regarding the Kolpak agreement
However, last year, Brexit analyzed the Kolpak agreement and put an end to it. It also ended Harmer’s chances of continuing his cricket career in the English nation.
Months after returning back to South Africa, the spinner finally spoke about the whole fiasco. Harmer revealed that he was aware that his chances of donning the England jersey were negligible.
The 33-year-old also claimed that his eligibility would have caused havoc in the cricket fraternity. The spinner has now made a comeback to South Africa’s Test team and is happy with his career.
The controversy behind Harmer getting a place in the England team
"The possibility of me getting a passport and actually playing for England was non-existent. But because I was in the county system and a Kolpak player, there was a lot of talks that I could become eligible for England.
“But the reality was I was still on a South African passport and playing for England was never going to happen.
“Can you imagine the hornets nest that would have been stirred up if I had been selected for England and played? Kevin Pietersen the second! It would have been absolute carnage,” Harmer said in the Telegraph Sport's Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast.
England’s Bazball approach in Test cricket
The off-spinner further revealed his preparations for the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa. Harmer believes that England’s Bazball technique will help him take wickets more quickly and efficiently.
“The Bazball thing will create its own challenges but for a spin bowler, if they are trying to take you on, it will create opportunities,” Harmer concluded.
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