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Cape Town - Is Kyle Abbott on the verge of ditching the Proteas for a long-term Kolpak deal with English county side Hampshire?
According to ESPN Cricinfo, he is.
The website published a story on Monday - the first day of the second Test between the Proteas and Sri Lanka in Cape Town - saying that Hampshire were of the belief that Abbott would retire from international cricket later this month.
The article states that Abbott is expected to sign a three or four year deal with the county side in a move that would effectively end his international career.
It has been a frustrating few years for Abbott on the Test stage.
After making his debut for the Proteas back in February 2013 and taking 9 wickets in that match against Pakistan at Centurion, Abbott would have to wait over a year for his second Test.
He is currently playing his 11th Test and, by all accounts, looked set for an extended run in the side with an impressive display in Australia recently in the absence of the injured Dale Steyn.
According to the report, there is a concern from Hampshire's side that Abbott will backtrack.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that they were aware of the story, but could not make any comments on Tuesday.
They would be meeting with Abbott's agent on Wednesday to get further clarity on the matter.
