Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Starc Endures Visa Nightmare

Australia bowler, Mitchell Starc, will have to wait for his Yorkshire debut, after visa problems led to him being deported.

The 22-year-old, who arrived at Heathrow Airport last weekend, and was initially cleared to remain in the country, following four hours of questioning, will not now make his bow in Yorkshire’s County Championship Second Division match against Gloucestershire at Bristol, starting on Wednesday.

Yorkshire are currently the favourites for the win, with odds of around 8/13 in the cricket betting. The side are also favoured for an outright win of the County Championship Division Two on Betfair.com.

The paceman was confident of being back in England in time for next week's match against Hampshire in Leeds.

"Well that's a first! Being deported from England. Surely nothing else can go wrong can it?!" Starc told his Twitter followers, on Tuesday.

"Visa issue. Incorrect communication from Aus. Will be straight back to UK ASAP once sorted. In time for next Yorkshire game."

Yorkshire blamed an error by Cricket Australia, with the problem a result of incorrect advice given to Starc in Australia.

A Yorkshire statement read: "The necessary paperwork from Yorkshire County Cricket Club is in order and accepted by the UK Border Agency but, unfortunately, is insufficient to allow Mitchell to fulfil the full visa requirement."

Starc's manager, Andrew Fraser, claimed it was an administrative error and that no one was to blame.

The quick is only joining Yorkshire for a limited period, with the youngster likely to be involved in Australia’s one-day tour of England, in the summer. His arrival was set to counter the loss of seamer, Ajmal Shahzad, who left the county in controversial circumstances, last week.

Yorkshire chairman, Colin Graves, said: "The whole thing, to be honest, is a fiasco. We have [said] straight; we are not paying the air fare again."

Starc has made four Test appearances for Australia, taking 10 wickets at an average of 32.50. He has featured seven times in ODIs.

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