Wiese joins the Kolpak exodus
David Wiese, an international all-rounder who has been at the heart of the Multiply Titans’ revival the past three seasons and has represented South Africa in 26 limited-format matches, has signed a Kolpak-agreement with Sussex.
Consequently, the hard-hitting middle-order sensation and wily seam bowler will no longer be available for South Africa in T20’s and One Day Internationals, confirmed Jacques Faul, chief executive officer of the Multiply Titans. He will still ply his trade for the Multiply Titans.
“David’s decision to sign a Kolpak-deal for Sussex is indeed a sad day for us at the franchise and for South Africa,” says Faul.
“It is sad because we obviously pride ourselves in being a successful conveyor belt for international players. South Africa is losing the services of a match-winning all-rounder whose tremendous straight hitting and masterful change of pace makes him an asset to any team,” Faul remarked.
“Yet, we are indebted to David because he has been very frank with us from the start, and he has handled the whole process with professionalism and integrity. He has also committed himself to represent the Multiply Titans for the rest of his career. He is a whole-hearted performer and a dedicated human being who commands the utmost respect,” Faul said.
“You don’t need to be a master statistician to reminisce about all his match-winning exploits for the Titans. This season, he averaged 59.50 in the CSA T20 Challenge and made several telling contributions with bat and ball that proved to be decisive.
“In the 2014/2015-season, he averaged 91.00 with the bat in the Momentum One Day Cup campaign and we won the series. It was his phenomenal onslaught in the semi-final play-off against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins that turned almost-certain disaster into ecstacy.
“Two seasons ago, he struck 107 and captured 6-58 against the VKB Knights in a first-class game, just to underline his undoubted class.
“Arguably two of his greatest highlights were representing South Africa in the T20 World Cup last season, as well as taking 5-23 in South Africa’s T20-match against the West Indies in Durban in 2015.
“We wish David a very successful Kolpak-career for Sussex and trust that he will be a proud flag-bearer of South Africa and the Multiply Titans,” Faul explained.
“For us, it is disappointing that would not be available for the Proteas in the T20-series against Sri Lanka.
“Yet, it is a comforting thought that South African audiences would still see this phenomenal hitter and his swashbuckling boundary onslaughts.
“Local fans will also witness his excellent change of pace a la Dwayne Bravo to bamboozle batsmen on South African soil while proudly wearing the Multiply Titans-shirt,” Faul explained.