Visa headache for Northants
Dec 01 2009 - 10:35:06
South African duo Riki Wessels and Johan van der Wath may not be able to play for Northamptonshire next season because of problems with their working visas.
The county's chief executive Mark Tagg has revealed that the duo may not be allowed to come back into the country.
He said: "Johan and Riki are going to have trouble getting in next year but we're getting some good advice and we're hoping for the best.
"The problem is the (visa) regulations have changed. Some days the lawyers are very optimistic, other days they're not quite so optimistic.
"In 2006 Johan was playing for South Africa 'A' and so he didn't need to apply for a work permit.
"So it seems a bit odd that a player who probably or almost certainly would have achieved one - because he didn't need one - is being penalised.
"Riki had a student working visa in 2006 and 2007 which was perfectly legal at the time and allowed him to get into the country and play cricket."