In a surprising move, South African off-spinner, Dane Piedt announced his move to United States of America to pursue a cricketing career in the country. Piedt will move to USA in the following months to be part of the new Minor League T20 tournament set to be launched in the summer. The move will effectively end his Proteas career.
Piedt hopes to meet the qualifying criteria to play for the USA national team and hopes to appear in the qualifiers leading up to the 2023 World Cup.
“The USA were given ODI status last year so it’s not completely out of the question,” Piedt said as reported by ESPNcricinfo. I just signed the deal this morning but no-one really knows when I will be able to travel. It was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up, financially and for lifestyle reasons, but it was still a tough decision to make.”
“I’m a massive basketball fan, so that helps,” Piedt said. “I will have a choice of four cities – New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or Seattle – to live in but the rest will be a surprise.”
Piedt’s decision was also spurred by a potential lack of chances in the future for South Africa given the rise of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. His only hope is a sub-continental Test your which South Africa aren’t due for in the near future.
“Shammo [Tabraiz Shamsi] has really made a mark in white-ball cricket and Keshav [Maharaj] has done exceptionally well for the Test side, he has done exactly what the team needs,” Piedt said. “And if you look at the schedule, South Africa are not due to tour the subcontinent again soon and that’s the only place where I might get a game.”
He has also conveyed the decision to the Cape Cobras management.
“I did it the proper way. I gave the coach [Ashwell Prince] a call and explained it to him and he was very understanding. I explained that this is an opportunity to further my cricketing career,” Piedt said. “It’s something different, a new challenge. I have always been someone who goes against the grain.”