Warwickshire face the prospect of losing Paul Harris to international duty.
The Kolpak-registered left-armer, who is widely credited with saving the team from relegation last season, is rising higher in a very short list of candidates for the role of South Africa's Test spinner.
Harris remains something of a pariah as far as the South African selectors are concerned. He was informed, in no uncertain terms, that he would never represent his county if he took the Kolpak route into county cricket. Yet South Africa are crying out for a quality spin bowler.
"Apart from a spinner, we have a strong team," their convenor of selectors, Haroon Lorgat, commented recently, a statement that must have left Paul Adams, Nicky Boje and the like bristling with indignation.
To make matters worse their first-choice spinner, left-armer Boje, has sprung something of a surprise by announcing his retirement. Although the national selectors have recalled Adams, 'the 'frog in a blender', for the Test series against India which starts on Friday, their options are far from plentiful.
Adams has struggled to hold down a place in domestic cricket in recent years. Claude Henderson, another Kolpak registration ploughing a furrow in county cricket, has insisted he is not interested while Johan Botha looked insipid at the highest level and has a suspect action.
Meanwhile, Harris has gone from strength to strength. He was the leading wicket-taker in South African first-class cricket last season and made an immediate impression in the county championship with four five-wicket hauls in his first six games; a Warwickshire record. He has started the South African season well, with 16 wickets in three games at 26 apiece including five for 81 in an innings last weekend.
Nor has Harris ever denied his desire to play Test cricket. Although he had to claim he was turning his back on international cricket as part of the Kolpak process, such commitments amount to meaningless admin. He is quite able to have his cake and eat it.
Warwickshire could still sign Harris even if he is selected for South Africa. They could reregister Heath Streak as a Kolpak player, allowing Harris to play as a second overseas player. The club is increasingly keen on signing another overseas fast bowler, however, and could do without the added complication.
Warwickshire may take some comfort from the likely availability of Ashley Giles. Though Duncan Fletcher has remained loyal to their premier spinner, the England coach's reign would appear to be in its death throes.
