CSA withdraw South African county players ahead of domestic season

Counties will lose key players for final three rounds of Championship following board edict

Cricket South Africa have brought centrally-contracted players home for the start of their summer, leaving several clubs without key overseas signings for the County Championship run-in.

David Bedingham (Durham), Simon Harmer (Essex) and Kyle Verreynne (Nottinghamshire) will all miss the final three rounds of Championship fixtures as a result of CSA's edict, with South Africa due to begin a packed home Test summer - which features series against Australia, Bangladesh and England - on October 9.

Nottinghamshire announced on Monday that they have brought in the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay for the Championship run-in as they look to secure back-to-back Division One titles. Durham, who are top of Division Two and eyeing the title, have already secured the services of Mayank Agarwal to replace Bedingham.

Essex said last month that they were in talks with CSA over Harmer's availability, since he is on a 'hybrid' central contract, but have confirmed that he will not feature at Headingley this week. They are in the midst of an availability crisis, and will also be without Sam Cook, Jordan Cox (Test call-ups), Charlie Bennett, Noah Thain, MacKenzie Jones and Simon Fernandes (injured).RelatedMayank Agarwal joins Durham for remainder of County Championship

CSA charges Swanepoel, withholds NOC to play for Worcestershire

Worcestershire, meanwhile, have confirmed that they will be without all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel for the rest of the season after he flew home "to attend to matters relating to his domestic cricket commitments".

Swanepoel was the subject of disciplinary action from CSA after his bizarre walk-out during a domestic 50-over final, and had his contract terminated by the Lions franchise. He has been replaced by Pakistani legspinner Usama Mir for their final three games.

Elsewhere, Gloucestershire have signed the young fast bowler Barbados-born fast bowler Che Simmons from Warwickshire on loan ahead of a permanent move.