David Bedingham striking while the iron is hot by committing to South Africa

The Durham batter had signalled his intention to play for England but at 28 years old feels his international aspirations are better served by playing for The Proteas

David Bedingham appears to have torched any idea of representing England by committing to his native South Africa.

The 28-year-old is still two years away from being eligible having originally signed for Durham as a local player before his status switched to overseas following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.

And that is a wait Bedingham, who has averaged 49.89 in three seasons at Chester-le-Street, doesn't want to make.

"I'd qualify as a local here in another two years but by that stage, I'll be 31 and, while I'd still have some time left, I think my best years are now," he told PA Sport.

"That's why I'm committed to playing for South Africa. I've made up my mind. Another two years just seems too late.

Bedingham is closing in on 2,000 first-class runs for Durham (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

"If I am doing well and scoring runs and I can't play for England or South Africa, that's just a waste.

"I'm not sure if I'll do well at that level - nobody can be sure - but I want to give myself that chance.

"You don't want to be 33, looking back wishing you'd given it a shot rather than waiting, waiting, waiting and finding your best years are gone.

"It's about saying I gave it a shot - just getting to that stage and seeing if I can handle the pressure, the glamour, the lights."

Since 2019, the ECB's eligibility criteria have demanded British citizenship, three years' residence (or birth in England or Wales) and not having played as a local player in a full member nation for three years.

Upon moving to Durham in 2020, he did so as a local player via an ancestral visa due to both sets of grandparents being born in England.

Bedingham in action for South Africa Under-19s, with Ben Duckett keeping wicket (Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Despite his status changing, as recently as 13 months ago he was open to representing England.

He told The Cricketer: "I really enjoy living here, so I really want a passport so that I can live here after cricket. If I qualify in three years – and hopefully I'm still scoring runs – then if England come calling, then perfect."

Central to the decision was a change of circumstances dictated by Brexit.

"It's been frustrating because I've been on an ancestral visa and I almost signed as a Kolpak player before Brexit happened," he added. "I think a lot of the South African public, and maybe the selectors thought 'oh, he's English now'.

"But as soon as Brexit happened, it changed things for people like Duanne Olivier, Simon Harmer, Wayne Parnell. I was planning to stay here my whole life basically but things happened, Brexit happened, and it opens up other doors."

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