Overseas bowler, Beyers Swanepoel, took figures of 3-51 in his first outing for Worcestershire, after missing the first part of the County Championship following disciplinary action for leaving in the middle of a domestic final in South Africa.
Swanepoel made his Worcestershire debut against Kent, after the start to his deal with the county was delayed until the third round. Coming on first change, he quickly got rid of Sam Northeast for his maiden wicket for the Pears, leaving Kent 32-2.
The right-arm pacer then bowled Daniel Bell-Drummond for 23, before trapping Keith Dudgeon lbw for 38. His end-of-innings figures read 3-51 off 15 overs. Combining with Oliver Hannon-Dalby, who joined Worcestershire on loan from Warwickshire after Swanepoel's stint was delayed, the pair took three wickets apiece to bowl Kent out for 196.
Beyers Swanepoel left South Africa's domestic 50-over final mid-game to fly to England for County Championship stint
Swanepoel was involved in a controversial incident when he left his former domestic team in South Africa, Lions, in the middle of their domestic 50-over final. None of his teammates reportedly knew he had left the game to fly to England, a week before the start of the English domestic season, and they had to complete the match with 10 players. Lions lost on the penultimate ball of the game.
Swanepoel also left South Africa before obtaining an NOC certificate from Cricket South Africa to allow him to play cricket in England while also keeping his contract to play in the South Africa domestic season. He faced disciplinary action in South Africa before the start of the County Championship, and his contract with Lions was subsequently terminated.
However, he was able to take up his county contract after securing an NOC, but is still without a domestic contract in South Africa.
In a statement, Swanepoel said: "I sincerely apologise to the entire Lions family for what transpired in the final and can assure everyone that many lessons have been learnt."
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