PORT ELIZABETH - South Africa’s cricket coffers have been raided once more with Dane Vilas becoming the latest Protea to sign a Kolpak deal with English County Championship side Lancashire.
The backup Test wicket-keeper, whose last tour was the recent one to Australia, has joined Kyle Abbott (Hampshire), Hardus Viljoen (Derbyshire), Simon Harmer (Essex), Rilee Rossouw (Hampshire), David Wiese and Stiaan van Zyl (Sussex) who all recently gave up the opportunity to represent the Proteas in return for the security of a county contract.
Vilas has signed a two-year deal at Old Trafford as the Manchester side look for an able replacement behind the stumps while England international Jos Buttler is away on international duty.
“Lancashire is one of the biggest clubs in England and I’m really excited about this opportunity to play my cricket there,” said Vilas.
“I’m relishing the opportunity of playing county cricket this summer. It’s going to be a huge challenge personally and I’m already looking forward to linking up with the squad ahead of the start to the season.”
Vilas played six Tests for South Africa without fully taking his opportunities while Test incumbent Quinton de Kock was out favour with the selectors in 2015.
However, Vilas has long though been prolific in domestic limited-overs cricket and would have expected to play more than just a single T20 International against India at the Wanderers in 2012.
Independent Media understands that Vilas was particularly despondent about not being selected for the recent T20 series against Sri Lanka when De Kock was rested along with a host of senior players. The Proteas lost the three-match series 2-1 at Newlands last Wednesday.
The national selectors instead opted for Highveld Lions wicket-keeper Mangaliso Mosehle behind the stumps with another ‘keeper Heino Kuhn being utilised solely as a batsman.
Lancashire have a history of recruiting South Africans with former Proteas batsmen Ashwell Prince and Alviro Petersen being the most recent. The duo shared a record 501-run partnership for the third wicket in 2015. Prince is also Vilas’s head coach at the Cobras and still enjoys a healthy working relationship with the Manchester club.
“Signing a player of Dane’s undoubted calibre and experience is a great boost as we continue our preparations ahead of the new season,” said Glenn Chapple, Lancashire’s head coach.
“He has an excellent record in First Class cricket and is a very good wicket keeper. Dane’s aggressive batting style will see him as an important part of our T20 and one-day sides in 2017, as well as four day cricket.”
Vilas is currently playing for the Cobras against the Titans at SuperSport Park in a Sunfoil Series clash.