Justin Kemp is the first South African player to terminate his contract with the ICL Hamish Blair / © AFP Enlarge
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Justin Kemp, the South Africa allrounder, has become eligible to participate in official cricket after terminating his contract with the ICL. Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO, Gerald Majola, said Kemp - who represented Hyderabad Heroes - complied with the amnesty offer by the board, where the players associated with the unauthorised league were given till May 31 to end their contracts.

"Justin Kemp is the first ICL player to meet these conditions and he is now eligible to play South African franchise cricket after the six-month cooling off period," Majola said. "We are very happy to welcome Justin back into the fold, and wish him all the best for the future".

Kemp last played in the ICL in November 2008, and will be available for selection when the South African cricketing season begins in September this year.

Kemp's decision comes after CSA unveiled an amnesty offer for ICL players in May, after the BCCI had started the trend, offering its players a chance to return to the official fold on April 29.

Other South African players who had joined the ICL include Nicky Boje, Dale Benkenstein, Andrew Hall and Johan van der Wath.

Meanwhile, senior England officials have confirmed the vast majority of the nation's ICL-contracted players have severed ties with the unsanctioned league. Sean Morris, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, told the Telegraph "pretty much everyone has cut links with the ICL," while Giles Clarke, the ECB's chairman, predicted the demise of the tournament could bolster the county game.

"If ICL is shown to be at an end then this is good news for international cricket," Clarke told the Guardian. "I have been vehemently against unauthorised cricket from the outset. It causes great problems for the game. The collapse of ICL might well increase the number of international players available for English counties"