KENT will move to tighten the small print of their contracts with overseas players from next summer after losing both their South African all-rounders with just two games of their championship campaign remaining.

Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp were obliged to fly home from London barely 48 hours before Kent were set to welcome Nottinghamshire to Canterbury.

The shock player re-call left Kent to fight a losing battle with the United Cricket Board of South Africa and the players in the unenviable position of not knowing which paymaster to obey.

Kent’s chief executive Paul Millman said: "We couldn’t have taken this issue to any higher level of administration in the world of cricket but there was no chance of compromise.

"We had the support and help of the ECB and the PCA and worked at length with Dennis Amiss at Warwickshire, but ultimately we weren’t going to run the risk of compromising the international future of our two players."

Mr Millman confirmed that in future contracts will need to be clearer and international commitments agreed before the county commit themselves to signing overseas stars.

He said: "It’s imperative that from here on contracts are drawn up in very specific terms so that there are no areas of misunderstanding. We will need written clarification from all international boards as to their future commitments.

"We first heard of this through a fax we received on August 24 telling us that South Africa wanted their guys back but you cannot plan a winning team or create a winning culture if you are forced to work on that basis."

Mr Millman added: "I hope our supporters are sympathetic over this situation because we had planned to have both Andrew and Justin here for the full season.

"As for the players, I have nothing but praise as for their utter professionalism throughout this matter, their attitude has been exemplary."

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