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 the upcoming County Championship match against Warwickshire. The decision follows a wave of intense public criticism on social media regarding the player’s inclusion, prompting the club to issue a formal statement on Wednesday, September 2.
In the statement, the club confirmed that the 34-year-old will no longer represent the organization. “Having reflected and listened to feedback from our staff and supporters, Hampshire Cricket can confirm that Scott Kuggeleijn will not represent the Club,” the announcement read. The club further expressed appreciation for the passion of its fanbase and stated its intention to focus on the remaining four County Championship fixtures of the season.
Kuggeleijn’s career has previously faced scrutiny due to legal proceedings from 2015, when he was charged with rape. He underwent two trials, resulting in a hung jury in 2016 and an acquittal in 2017. Similar public outcry occurred in 2023 when he was selected for a Test match against England; at that time, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead defended the decision after Kuggeleijn was called up as an injury replacement for Kyle Jamieson. Throughout his career, the all-rounder has represented New Zealand in three Tests—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.
