Harvey blocked by ECB

Profiles / Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ian Harvey has been blocked from playing for Derbyshire as a non-overseas player by the England and Wales Cricket Board because he does not qualify as a British citizen.

The Australian all-rounder has been covering for the injured Travis Birt but now that he is fit, Harvey has been told he will have to stand down until he receives clearance from the Home Office.

The news will come as a blow to Derbyshire, who have drawn their opening two LV County Championship Division Two fixtures, and will clearly have an impact on Betfair's match betting for Wednesday's match against Leicestershire.
Harvey has been in impressive form during the early season with two centuries in the County Championship, where he currently averages 144.

Derbyshire chief executive Tom Sears said the ECB had allowed Ottis Gibson to play for Leicestershire in 2004 while in a similar situation.

"We are extremely disappointed with the ECB's stance on this issue," he told the county's official website.

"Ian has played in this country since 1999, his wife is a British citizen, he has met all the criteria to qualify for British citizenship and completed the required fours years of residency.

"He submitted his application for citizenship at the earliest opportunity but the ECB is still not allowing him to play even though they have in a previous case."

Derbyshire were last matched at 15 in Betfair's LV County Championship Division Two outright winner's market, while unbeaten Nottinghamshire remain the warm favourites.