Australia denies any part in Starc 'fiasco'
Cricket Australia Wednesday denied having anything to do with
Mitchell Starc being thrown out of Britain, as the fastbowler attempted
to play down the visa problems that saw him deported.
The left-armer was due to leave London Tuesday evening with his
English side Yorkshire, coached by former Australia fast bowler Jason
Gillespie, blaming either Cricket Australia or Starc's agent for
problems with his paperwork.
The 22-year-old arrived at Heathrow Airport at the weekend and was
initially cleared to remain, but will not now make his Yorkshire debut
against Gloucestershire on Wednesday.
Cricket Australia said the issue had nothing to do with them.
"Mitchell is on annual leave and decided to organise a short-term
contract with Yorkshire. It has absolutely nothing to do with us," a
spokesman told AFP.
"We have sent plenty of people to England and know all the
requirements. Saying that, we have made it clear that if Mitchell needs
our help, we are happy to do that." While Cricket Australia have been
blamed by some, Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves has also fingered
Starc's agent for the "fiasco", according to the Guardian newspaper.
Starc was keen to play down the embarrassment as he prepared to fly
out of Britain. "Well round the world here we go... Off to aus now," he
tweeted, apparently from Heathrow. Sydney, Thursday |