LONDON, CMC – English County club Derbyshire have abruptly ended their pursuit of West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels ahead of the upcoming season.
In a statement, the East Midlands outfit said their decision had been reached “in view of recent events”. The club did not elaborate further.
“Derbyshire can confirm it has been in contact with West Indies international Marlon Samuels and his agent regarding opportunities at the club,” the statement said.
“The club remains committed to exploring all options to strengthen the side ahead of the 2017 season.
“However, we have a number of routes available and, in view of recent events, the club is no longer pursuing Marlon Samuels.”
The 36-year-old Samuels revealed earlier this week he was pondering a three-year deal offered him by Derbyshire, worth up to 135 000 pounds sterling per year.
He said at the time he was undecided as it meant he would have to sign a Kolpak deal – an arrangement in which he would be considered a non-overseas player and give up playing for West Indies.
Samuels’s international career is now in doubt after he was ruled ineligible for selection for the three-match one-day series against England in the Caribbean next month.
