“Plunkett has an American wife and may have aspirations to move to the USA in the long-term”
USA Cricket has confirmed it is “open to continue exploring” a future with England seamer Liam Plunkett.
A Daily Mail report on Monday stated that Plunkett could finish his international career with the United States after staging preliminary talks with the governing body.
The 34-year-old’s last appearance for England came in last summer’s World Cup final, with his three wickets helping the tournament hosts to victory over New Zealand.
He was subsequently cut from England’s list of contracted players last September and was not picked for this winter’s limited-overs tours of New Zealand and South Africa.
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ICC regulations allow for a player to switch playing from one country to another but with a three-year period of absence if making a move from a Full Member to an Associate Member, which would be Plunkett’s route. The regulations state that players can represent a country they are a national of – through the demonstration of a relevant passport – or have been a resident of for the previous three years.
Plunkett has an American wife and, according to the Daily Mail, has spent the last few years living in the United States outside of the English summer.
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A spokesperson from USA Cricket confirmed talks with Plunkett. “Liam Plunkett has an American wife and may have aspirations to move to the USA in the long-term,” the spokesperson told wisden.com.
“USA Cricket discussed various opportunities as to how he could get involved in the development of cricket in the USA if and when the time is right for him in the future.
Surrey and England are my top priority at this current time. I would like to help Surrey win trophies ? and let’s see what the future holds going forward.
— Liam plunkett (@Liam628) February 4, 2020
“Clearly, if we were able to involve somebody of Liam’s qualities and experience within the USA cricketing landscape, we are sure he could be extremely valuable to USA Cricket and what we are trying to achieve, and it is therefore something that we are open to continue exploring with him.”
Plunkett’s immediate focus remains on representing Surrey – who he is contracted to until the end of the 2021 summer – and targeting an England return. In a tweet on Tuesday, Plunkett wrote: “Surrey and England are my top priority at this current time. I would like to help Surrey win trophies and let’s see what the future holds going forward.”
