Import won't return to Strikers for BBL|09

Colin Ingram will not return to the Adelaide Strikers next KFC BBL season, the club has announced.

The South African, who was out of contract with the Strikers at the end of BBL|08 after two years with the Adelaide side, informed the club he had decided not to play in the Big Bash League this summer.

“We are disappointed to lose Colin but we were aware that it was a strong possibility that for family reasons he could not commit to a new contract,” SACA General Manager High Performance Tim Nielsen said, hailing Ingram’s influence both on and off the field.

“He is a quality player and leader and was one of the key players behind our first BBL title win last year. We wish Colin, Megan and family all the best.”

Ingram played 25 games for the Strikers across the past two seasons, scoring 610 runs at an average of 30.5 and strike rate of 138.95.

He also led the side in 14 games when captain Travis Head was on international duties.

His departure means the Strikers will be on the lookout for new international talent, but in good news for Adelaide fans, star spinner Rashid Khan will be back, having signed a two-deal deal ahead of BBL|08.

While Ingram won’t return to Australian shores this summer, a South African legend could make his BBL debut.

AB de Villiers is interested in wielding the willow Down Under in the 2019-20 season and is understood to be on the lookout for a BBL club in the back half of next summer's tournament, with a number of clubs having been approached by the master batsman's management.

It is believed several clubs have shown interest in the big-hitting batsman, who bowed out of international cricket last April but remains one of the world's most sought-after commodities on the T20 circuit, with his revolutionary batting skills in the one-day format transferring seamlessly into the game's shortest format.