Kent lose McLaren

Ryan McLaren will leave Kent after three seasons as he turns his sights towards playing international cricket

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Kent all-rounder Ryan McLaren will relinquish his Kolpak status in order to make himself available for South Africa.

The 26-year-old has been a key figure for Kent in all forms of cricket since joining in 2007, most notably when he took a hat-trick to help seal victory over Gloucestershire in the Twenty20 Cup final that summer.

He will be released at the end of the season - with a year left on his contract - and will be available for his country from October, when he returns to playing for the Diamond Eagles domestically.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola said: “It is good news indeed for South African cricket that all-rounder Ryan McLaren has decided to forfeit the final year of his contract with Kent and make himself available for selection for the Proteas.

“Ryan has been rated as one of South Africa's leading all-rounders over the past few years. His past performances made him a candidate for the Proteas squad and we have no doubt that he will be knocking on the door again.”