KENT’S latest winter recruit South African batsman Martin van Jaarsveld has revealed the anguish behind his decision to abandon his fledgling Test career in order to ply his trade in county cricket.

The right-hander from Klerksdorp in Transvaal becomes the fourth South African to join Kent’s payroll following in the footsteps of all-rounders Matt Dennington and Andrew Hall and the club’s new director of coaching, former South Africa coach, Graham Ford.

At the age of 30 van Jaarsveld may just be reaching his prime as a batsman, so little wonder that turning his back on international cricket to sign Kolpak regulations came as the hardest decision of his career.

"It was a very, very tough choice to make because it is every cricketer's dream to play for their country, but it soon became clear that this was a career move as much as anything" said the former South Africa cricketer of the year.

"I spoke with Haroon Lorgat, our interim convener of selectors, who was very honest and open with me as to their policy of looking ahead to the next World Cup.

"It always seemed to me that I was a stand-by pick for South Africa, the player they would call on in an emergency if someone got injured or if a players’ wife was giving birth.

"I never really felt part of the set up or that I would be given a proper run in the side and, after speaking with several people, it was obvious that I had a huge decision to make.

"We put a few feelers out and I contacted Northamptonshire, where I played in 2004, but was delighted when I heard Kent were keen on me."

Van Jaarsveld flies to England on March 22 to join Kent on an initial two-year deal with an extension option and has already received club dispensation to marry his English fiancé Gill Bracewell in Accrington in-between county fixtures on May 6.

The winner of nine Test and 11 one-day international caps, he is familiar with English conditions and is confident of making a mark in Canterbury.

Having met his bride-to-be during a successful stint in the Lancashire Leagues, he went on to score 484 runs at an average 32 on difficult pitches in seven appearances for Northamptonshire last summer and sees no reason why he cannot improve on those figures this year.

He added: "All things considered I thought I did reasonably well last summer and I am confident that over the full breadth of a season I can do much better.

"I played at Canterbury once for South Africa so I know its reputation for having good pitches and, having played against Kent last year, I know the basis of their side and some of the characters involved.

"They were pushing for the championship title for most of last season and like any other cricketer I want to win things, so I’d like to think that by joining Kent I will add something to what is already a good side.

"In my view the overall standard of county cricket is higher than in our domestic cricket in South Africa and at 30 I’d like to think I have six or seven years left in the game.

"In South Africa you’re regarded a veteran if you’re over 28, but I don’t see it that way. You only have to look at the Australian side, which is quite a mature team now, and the way they use the likes of Darren Lehmann, to know that experience does count for something.

"I know my game inside out now, I know my limitations and what I’m good at and I’m delighted Kent have shown faith in signing me."

Van Jaarsveld added: "The ball does tend to nip around more in England particularly at the start of the season, but come July and August the pitches will flatten out and I will be able to cash in.

"There’s a lot being made of the impact Kevin Pietersen had for England over here this winter, so it would be nice if I could do something similar in reverse for Kent."

FACTFILE

Name: Martin van Jaarsveld
Born: Klerksdorp on June 19, 1974
Education: Warmbaths School, Pretoria University
Team: South Africa, Northerns, Northern Transvaal, Northamptonshire, Kent
Position: Top-order right-hand batsman and occasional right-arm medium-pace bowler, slip fielder
Debuts: First-class - Northern Transvaal B v Natal B (Durban 1994/95). Test - SA v Bangladesh (East London 2002/03)
Test record: Nine matches 397 runs, highest score 73, average 30.53
ODI record: 11 matches 124 runs, highest score 45, average 20.66
First-class record: 109 matches 7419 runs, highest score 238 not out, average 44.42