» Red tape rules Graeme out for Glos
GLOUCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Graeme van Buuren is only allowed to currently play as an overseas player for the county due to a holdup with the paperwork to register him as a non-overseas player.
The South African, who hit an unbeaten century in the county’s opening County Championship win over Surrey, has been a Gloucestershire player and Bristol resident for the last five years, playing as a non-overseas player.
He has built a life in the UK, van Buuren is married to a British citizen, and is settled in Bristol with two young children born in the city during his time at the club.
Earlier in the year, having completed the requisite five years in the UK, he started the process of applying for his “indefinite leave to remain” as a pathway to British citizenship.
This was anticipated to allow him to play as an England-qualified player from the early part of this season.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in delays in the UK Government processing his paperwork and the impact of Brexit means that the rights previously afforded to him are no longer available in the UK.
Therefore, van Buuren is only allowed to play as an overseas player and with two overseas players eligible to play in the County Championship, Kraigg Brathwaite and Dan Worrall were selected for last week’s match against Hampshire in Southampton.
Gloucestershire are allowed to have three registered overseas players, but only two can play in the team.
A Gloucestershire club statement said: “has played a huge part in the two victories of the 2021 season so far and is an integral member of the Gloucestershire cricket family. Along with the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA), the club continue to support his application and the speedy resolution of what is a very difficult period for Graeme and his family.”