South African Quinton de Kock could be headed to Australia this summer in the BBL after he walked out on the T20 World Cup earlier this week.
De Kock’s departure came after Cricket South Africa made it mandatory that players take a knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
The wicketkeeper-batsman reportedly took umbrage with the fact that players were no longer given a personal choice to support it or not.
His bold stance made waves around the cricketing world, with some believing that he may have played his last game for his nation.
Indian Premier League clubs could be set to turn their back on him after he earned $500,000 with the Mumbai Indians in the 2021 tournament.
With his cricketing opportunities potentially dwindling, The Daily Telegraph has reported that at least one Big Bash League club has already gauged de Kock’s interest in playing in Australia this summer.
Cricket Victoria boss Nick Cummins has since come out and said he’d be interested in a “player of his calibre” coming down under, but the question remains whether a franchise will risk any potential reception issues with the move.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis thinks that’s the only hurdle BBL clubs will need to consider when offering the South African a lifeline.
“It’s going to be an interesting one,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Now it becomes what the perception is like when and if he gets here.
“Will a BBL club, it sounds silly to say it, take a risk to sign him?
“We know he’s a talented player, there’s no doubts about that, he’s one of the best players in South Africa.
“I’d like to see him out here, I’d have no issue if a BBL side did decide to bring him out here, but the question will be what sort of reception will he get?
“I think he’ll be fine, but it’s an interesting take.”
It is understood that de Kock’s management is open to a BBL move if he’s available for the tournament.