Swanepoel’s Lions deal was ended by what the union called “mutual agreement” and with “immediate effect” following a hearing on Thursday. In a statement issued by Lions, CEO Jono Leaf-Wright confirmed Swanepoel would not represent the team next season.
“It has been an unfortunate period for all parties involved but now we have now brought the matter to a close, allowing everyone to move forward,” Leaf-Wright said. “At Lions cricket we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards and take matters of this nature very seriously.”
The news may not necessarily spell the end of Swanepoel’s career in South Africa. Domestic teams have until May 4 to finalise their squad lists for next summer and he could be picked up by another team. He previously played for the Eastern Cape-based Warriors but moved to Johannesburg at the start of last season. Swanepoel was one of the team’s more experienced players and key to their white-ball hopes as an opening and death bowler.
None of the Lions’ administrators was aware of Swanepoel’s plans. It is not yet known why he booked his flight for that day, with the county season only starting five days’ later. “I sincerely apologise to the entire Lions family for what transpired in the final and can assure everyone that many lessons have been learnt.”
Swanepoel is still in the United Kingdom but cannot play without an NOC. He will have to wait for the outcome of his CSA’s hearings before he knows whether he will obtain the required documentation to turn out for Worcestershire, who expected him to be available for the full season. He was not named in Worcestershire’s 13-man squad to play Middlesex on Friday, with the team signing Oliver Hannon-Dalby on a short-term loan from Warwickshire last week to cover for his absence.
Worcestershire said in a statement on Thursday: “The club remains in contact with the relevant parties regarding Beyers’ current status and any further regulatory requirements, including the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) process with Cricket South Africa. At this stage, it would be premature to provide a definitive timeframe for Beyers joining the squad, and the club will issue a further update in due course.”
ESPNcricinfo understands that Swanepoel’s deadline to respond to CSA’s charges was on Thursday and that the disciplinary process will commence forthwith.