Jacques Rudolph signs for Yorkshire

I have to say I am utterly bemused by the news that Rudolph has signed a 3 year contract with Yorkshire as a Kolpak player.

As I understand the ruling the player must either not have played for at least 12 months at First Class level or higher (which Rudolph has, having played a Test as recently as August), or give up playing as a domestic player in his own country. Given that Rudolph has signed for Yorks after negotiations with the SA cricket board, who give their full support with a view to the player developing from the experience, it is clear that he is still in their plans to play internationally and thus remains a domestic player.

So unless I am missing something here, this is a blatant abuse of the system by all concerned - Yorkshire save an overseas player spot, SA get a player improving at someone else's expense, and Rudolph makes a nice salary that could have been used to bring on home talent - and no doubt when it suits 2 of the 3 parties he'll be back in the SA side renouncing his Kolpak status.

 70DS the Kolpak case set a precedent allowing non-English players to play for counties , but not classing them as foreigners. Whether that's right or wrong , it was the high court that made that decision and not English cricket.
     That the counties have been quick to take as many overseas players that qualify , as they have is definitely a reason for concern.

    Clobs is right , when the Kolpak players first signed for county sides , they effectively gave up international aspirations completely.
    Paul Harris played county cricket last season and was supposed to return this season. But he was called up by SA and just chucked his kolpak contract into the bin!
    The players and their respective countries are seeming to have it both ways. You have to ask , do Cricket South Africa compensate the counties when the player reneges on an existing agreement?  I suspect they do , because the counties don't seem to be making much fuss over the reversals being taken by certain players.
     Before Harris got the call , Claude Henderson was approached and the only reason he didn't play in the Indian series was because he asked cricket SA for a central contract - this they refused and for security reasons he's staying with his kolpak contract.
     It strikes me that it's a juggling act. Cricket SA save on a central contract for a fringe player by allowing him to play in England , but if they need him back , they pay some level of compensation and have him released.
      If I'm right , the ICC should act. Contracts should be honoured , but I'm old fashioned and believe if you put your name to an agreement , it's set in stone.

 Dead right Clobs.  The only loser in this whole sorry saga are young (and maybe not so young) English hopefuls.  Where is the benefit to English cricket , either at test or county level , if these guys can come and go as they choose?
    How to combat it , I'm not sure. The ECB can't ban Kolpaks , the lawsuits for restriction of trade would be numerous , but surely there must be some way of securing the futures of English talent?

Just be thankful there isn't great interest in cricket across the wider European Union, particularly newer member states!!

Maybe if they stopped producing so many internationals they would win some games =P

  Good on the PCA , this should shake up the ECB !   It's about time the ECB supported it's own - if they're going to turn a blind eye on Kolpaks that have every intention of returning to the international fold , they're badly letting down aspiring England hopefuls.