McLaren eyes England call

South African bowler wants to qualify for adoptive homeland

Last updated: 11th June 2008

Ryan McLaren Kent 07

McLaren: England aims

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South African Ryan McLaren is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Kevin Pietersen by qualifying for England.

Fast bowler McLaren joined Kent on a Kolpak deal at the start of 2007 and has proved a big hit at the county - taking a hat-trick in the final of the Twenty20 Cup final in his first season and leading the bowling averages this year.

And with his current contract keeping him at Canterbury until the end of the 2010 season, McLaren will soon be eligible to play for his adoptive homeland.

Pietersen has already gone down the same route to become a success in the England side, and McLaren could be the next to follow him - although he is keen to first maintain his fine form at Kent.

The 25-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Qualification is something I will do.

"I will try to qualify. It is a process of four years but that decision will be taken as and when it comes.

"At the moment I am trying to focus on playing good cricket."

Good cricket is something McLaren is certainly playing at the moment, having taken 27 wickets in the County Championship this season at an average of 17.44, and 12 in one-day games at 25.83.

The former Proteas Under-19s star is no slouch with the bat either, averaging 20.12 in the four-day game and 54.00 in the Friends Provident Trophy this year.

McLaren also topped the fielding records in last season's Twenty20 Cup, taking nine catches.

Comments

Izak Van niekerk says...

What a pity to see all the young South African cricketers leave South Africa to play cricket elsewhere. Soon they will be playing against us - like Kevin Pietersen.

Posted 10:05 31st July 2008

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