Wiaan Mulder not joining Leicestershire for 2021 season

The South Africa allrounder was due to be available for the County Championship and One-Day Cup, but he opted to make himself available to his country

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Leicestershire are searching for a new overseas player after news that Wiaan Mulder will not be available for the upcoming campaign.

The South Africa allrounder had signed up for the County Championship and One-Day Cup.

But the 23-year-old has instead opted to remain available to represent his country during the summer, should he be called upon.

The Proteas do not have any scheduled Tests until they host India next winter, but Mulder wants to keep his options open should opportunities arise in the immediate future.

Head coach Paul Nixon said: "It is a huge shame that Wiaan won’t be joining us but we understand the need for flexibility in the current situation and wish him all the best for the coming months."

The move leaves the Foxes looking for a new overseas player less than a month before the start of the new campaign, which begins against Hampshire on April 8.

Naveen-ul-Haq has signed up for the T20 Blast, while Scott Steel, Rishi Patel and Ed Barnes have arrived in the off-season.

Counties are permitted two overseas players in the four-day and 50-over tournaments from 2021, following the termination of Kolpak contracts.

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