Bob Willis: Virat Kohli should be made to suffer and average 30 in England as he has done before”

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Former England pace bowler Bob Willis is less than pleased with the idea of India captain Virat Kohli playing county cricket.

Kohli is set to represent Surrey for a short period of time in June before India’s five-Test series against England gets underway in August.

However, Willis feels that Kohli and other international players should not be allowed to ply their trade on the county circuit as it is prohibiting the growth and development of young English players.

“I can’t stand overseas players in county cricket,” Willis was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “It doesn’t benefit the players stranded in the second XI year on year and the youngsters. The only way to improve our Test team is to have as many England-qualified players playing in the County Championship as possible.

“Instead, they’re going to pay Kohli, presumably, five figures a match so he can hone his skills in English conditions before a Test series. It’s nonsense.

“He should be made to suffer and average 30 in England as he has done before. We don’t want England starting to lose Test matches at home because we’re accommodating all of these visiting players.”