Simon Harmer: I was never going to play for England – it would have stirred a hornet's nest

Simon Harmer, the South African spinner, says the prospect of him playing for England was "non-existent". 

Harmer, who has been sensational for Essex since joining the county on a Kolpak deal in 2017, was due to become eligible for England on residency grounds having been left out of the Proteas setup since 2015.

However, Brexit closed the Kolpak loophole and coincided with a crackdown on players using cricket to qualify for citizenship, ending Harmer’s chances.

The 33-year-old is now back in the South Africa fold and is set to play against England in the Test series that begins later this month.

Harmer told Telegraph Sport's Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast that representing England was never on the cards. You can listen to the full podcast at the top of this article. 

"The possibility of me getting a passport and actually playing for England was non-existent," said Harmer. "But because I was in the county system and a Kolpak player, there was a lot of talk that I could become eligible for England. But the reality was I was still on a South African passport and playing for England was never going to happen.

“Can you imagine the hornets nest that would have been stirred up if I had been selected for England and played? Kevin Pietersen the second! It would have been absolute carnage.”

Harmer has consistently outfoxed batsmen with his off-spin in the county game and recently went past 800 first-class wickets at just 26 apiece.

After a hot and dry summer, Harmer will be key to South Africa's chances as they face a rejuvenated Test side under the leadership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

Harmer believes England's 'Bazball' approach will give him plenty of chances to take wickets.

“The Bazball thing will create its own challenges but for a spin bowler, if they are trying to take you on, it will create opportunities," said Harmer. “You can’t play that way on day three in India when it is absolutely ragging, but if the pitch is good then why not?”