Every aspiring cricketer wants to don the national cap when he starts playing cricket. Players take a lot of pride in representing their home nation. But there are certain instances when players are forced to choose a country other than their country of birth. These players at times return to their own countries after plying their trade for other nations.
We at StumpsandBails bring to you 5 cricketers who played for other countries but later returned:
#1 Brendan Taylor
Brendan Taylor is arguably one of the finest Zimbabwean batsmen. He led Zimbabwe to an improbable victory against Australia in the inaugural T20 World Cup. But after having a torrid relationship with the parent board, he left for Nottinghamshire. Taylor couldn’t find a long term contract with Nottinghamshire and returned to Zimbabwe.
#2 Kyle Jarvis
Kyle Jarvis was spotted by Zimbabwe coach, Heath Streak when he was part of Zimbabwe’s U-19 World Cup held in Malaysia in 2008. He was fast-tracked to Zimbabwe’s senior team in 2009. Jarvis had speed but lacked control, owing to which he found it tough to break into the Test team. But Jarvis got into a payment dispute with the Zimbabwe cricket board in 2013 and pursued a career with the English county side, Lancashire. He later terminated his contract with Lancashire in 2017 and came back to play for Zimbabwe.
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#3 Ed Joyce
Ed Joyce was the first player in the 21st century to play for both Ireland and England. An Irish man by birth, Joyce broke through the England team back in 2006 itself. He even found a spot in England’s World Cup in 2007. But after a string of low scores, he was dropped from the team. Joyce was keen to play and vowed to play for Ireland. He was part of the historic Ireland team in 2011 who went to defeat England in the World Cup.
#4 Boyd Rankin
Boyd Rankin’s career is a curious one. He started playing international cricket for his home nation, Ireland. But later went on to play for England where he was an active county cricketer. Rankin’s career was marred by inconsistencies and indecisiveness. He finally decided to play for his home nation, Ireland in 2015. Rankin is the only bowler apart from Kepler Wessels and John Tracois to have played Test matches for 2 different nations.
#5 Kyle Abbott
Kyle Abbott made an impression on his debut Test match itself. He picked up 7-29 in the first innings against Pakistan to announce his arrival in international cricket. But owing to the quota-based system of national selection, Abbott was not selected in the playing XI for South Africa against New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2015 ODI World Cup.
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Abbott left for England in 2017 pursuing a Kolpak deal which meant he couldn’t play for South Africa again. Thanks to Brexit, the kolpak law has become void. Abbott has already signed a contract with the Titans, a South African club to represent them in the Momentum One-Day Cup. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Abbott with South Africa.
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