KOLPAK SIGNING

Daryn Smit joins Derbyshire on Kolpak deal

by Rob Johnston • Published on

"I'm delighted to join Derbyshire and get an opportunity to play county cricket" - Smit © BCCI

Derbyshire signed South African all-rounder Daryn Smit on a Kolpak deal until the end of the 2018 season on Tuesday (March 14).

Smit is the eighth Kolpak signing across the county game this winter as Britain's exit from the European Union and a favourable exchange rate has prompted players to make their move now. He may not be the last either with at least two more South African players understood to be actively looking for county contracts.

What effect the rise of the number of Kolpak players has on the English game remains to be seen but there is a fear that young homegrown players will have their opportunities to experience and develop in county cricket blocked. Earlier this year, the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) told Cricbuzz the rush to sign such Kolpak players was "hugely disappointing".

Smit, whose registration still needs to be completed, will be available for all three formats and joins Derbyshire after a 14-year career with the Dolphins franchise in South Africa. He will add plenty of experience to a Derbyshire squad that had a poor season last year, finishing bottom of the County Championship without a win and failing to progress from the group stages of either limited overs competition.

The batsman, who has represented South Africa A and was selected for the Proteas' 2009 World T20 initial squad, has appeared in 125 first-class matches scoring 5,711 runs at an average of 37, including nine hundreds. He has also scored 2,571 runs in limited overs cricket and last month, made an unbeaten 150 in a first-class match against the Cape Cobras.

Smit, who can also bowl leg-spin and keep wicket, has experience in England after featuring for Ramsbottom CC in the Lancashire League for the last three seasons, scoring 2,935 runs at an average of 76. He also made two appearances for Derbyshire Second XI in 2016 when he hit an unbeaten 200 versus Glamorgan Second XI in August.

Derbyshire's Director of Cricket, Kim Barnett said: "Daryn is a vastly experienced batsman, with over 14 years as a professional in the game, and will strengthen the depth to our batting line-up this season.

"He has played in England before and performed very well when given the chance with the Second XI at the end of last summer, impressing many at the Club with his quality and professionalism towards his game.

"He will now provide Billy [Godleman] with additional options this summer and, as a senior player, offer even more experience to the line-up."

Smit himself added: "I'm delighted to join Derbyshire and get an opportunity to play county cricket.

"I've enjoyed my time with the Dolphins, and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities they gave me, but I'm now looking forward to exciting new times in England with Derbyshire.

"I still have a lot to give, both on the field and also helping the younger guys in the dressing room, and I hope I can contribute to a successful period for the Club," he concluded.

© Cricbuzz

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