Kolpak issue

McLaren happy with Kent contract

Cricinfo staff

September 7, 2008

	Ryan McLaren: "I'm looking to settle my future with Kent" © Getty Images

Mickey Arthur may be keen to lure Kolpak players back to South Africa but Ryan McLaren, who left his country to join Kent last year, is committed to his county contract. Arthur had discussed McLaren's possible return to South Africa with his agent but the allrounder said he hadn't been personally approached by Cricket South Africa.

"I can't decide on anything until such time they phone me up or sit around a table with me to make a decision from there," McLaren told PA Sports. "The new contract offer from Kent has been in the pipeline for some good time. It was first discussed weeks ago and is in place; it's agreed, and we intend on taking it further because I'm looking to settle my future with Kent."

McLaren said the supposed interest from South Africa came to light only in the last week and a half and that too because they did badly in the one-day series against England. "This is a phase their international team is going through right now while younger, newer faces come through," McLaren said.

Graham Ford, Kent's director of coaching, said there had been no official approach to the county about McLaren's availability.

"Ryan signed an affidavit when he went through the process of signing for us as a 'Kolpak' - committing himself to English cricket and saying he wouldn't be playing for South Africa," Ford said. "He also has a two-year contract in place with Kent - meaning that if he were to be released to play for South Africa, I would imagine some dealings would have to take place at higher levels than mine."

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Players/Umpires

Ryan McLaren

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England

South Africa