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Cricket

South African trio cleared to participate as Kolpak players

30/04/2008

South African trio Andrew Hall, Johan van der Wath and Justin Kemp have been cleared to participate in the County Championship.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had decided that the South Africans could not take advantage of the rule having participated in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) – a competition which has not been officially recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

But the appeal board has overturned the ECB's initial ruling, accepting Hall's argument that he joined the ICL before the ECB's rule came into force, and the three players should therefore not be punished.

Hall and van der Wath are now able to join up with Northamptonshire while Kemp is available to represent Kent with immediate effect.

All three men have played county cricket in recent season under the Kolpak rule which allows players from countries with associate trade agreements with the European Union to join county sides without counting as an overseas player.

A statement from Northants said: "We are delighted that both Andrew [Hall] and Johannes [der Wath] are now available for us for 2008. This strengthens our playing squad and enables us to push for honours in all competitions.

"We are looking forward to having both players [Hall and van der Wath] with us as soon as possible."

Northants will hope that the arrival of Hall and van der Wath can help kick-start their season. The midlands club have lost their opening two County Championship fixtures of the season and sit bottom of division two.