London - Durham are in pole position to provide Kagiso Rabada with a county home for six weeks at the start of the 2016 season - with their Australian fast bowler John Hastings facing shoulder surgery.
South Africa star Rabada, who took 13 wickets in the thumping Test victory over England in Centurion earlier this week, has his heart set on a short-term deal to feature in the early stages of the county championship.
The 20-year-old believes a spell in first-class competition in England to be more beneficial to his cricket education than a first jaunt to the Indian Premier League. Not least because the South Africans tour to the UK next year and it will give him experience of English conditions.
Durham are now on the lookout for a replacement for Hastings, who forced his way back into Australia’s limited-overs plans in recent months but potentially needs an operation to address his latest shoulder problem.
It is anticipated the 30-year-old will either have the damage repaired, or be advised to rest, immediately after the World Twenty20 tournament finishes on April 3.
Durham planned to await the outcome of the upcoming IPL auction before homing in on a replacement for April and May, but captain Paul Collingwood has privately admitted Rabada would be an “amazing” acquisition since the South African’s intentions came to light.
This week, Rabada’s agent Donne Commins contacted several counties citing his availability. However, there are a limited number of clubs offering windows of opportunity.
Of those yet to confirm an import for the start of the summer, champions Yorkshire have put their faith in homegrown talent until Kane Williamson arrives in mid-season and Middlesex want a batsman if their first-choice Adam Voges makes the IPL cut, leaving Division Two duo Kent and Gloucestershire as the only viable rivals to 2013 winners Durham.
Kent did not employ an overseas player last year but in a re-evaluation for 2016 would be willing to listen ‘if the right player made a compelling case’ while Gloucestershire - known as Proctershire in the 1970s due to the presence in their ranks of one of South Africa’s greatest cricketers Mike Procter - are interested due to their Australian batsman Michael Klinger not arriving until June.
Daily Mail