Hampshire Cricket has officially removed New Zealand all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn from its squad, just one day after naming him in a 15-member roster for an upcoming County Championship match against Warwickshire. The club confirmed on Wednesday, September 2, that the 34-year-old will no longer represent the organization, effectively ending his planned stint for the final four matches of the season.
The decision followed a wave of public criticism on social media regarding the signing. In a formal statement, the club noted, “Having reflected and listened to feedback from our staff and supporters, Hampshire Cricket can confirm that Scott Kuggeleijn will not represent the Club.” The statement further expressed appreciation for the fanbase’s engagement, adding, “We value the passion of our fanbase and thank everyone who took the time to share their views. Our focus now turns to supporting the team through the final four County Championship fixtures of the season. We encourage everyone to unite behind the team as we enter a crucial stage of the campaign.”
Kuggeleijn previously faced legal scrutiny in 2015 when he was charged with rape. He underwent two trials; the first in 2016 resulted in a hung jury, and he was subsequently acquitted in a second trial in 2017. Similar public opposition emerged in 2023 when the New Zealand national team selected him for a Test match against England. At that time, head coach Gary Stead defended the inclusion of the all-rounder, who had been brought in as a replacement for the injured Kyle Jamieson. Throughout his international career, Kuggeleijn has participated in three Test matches—his most recent in 2024—along with two ODIs and 18 T20Is. The report also notes that following which the club issued a statement on Wednesday (September 2), confirming that Kuggeleijn won’t represent the club anymore, his selection drew widespread backlash on social media.
