Suppiah residency bid rejected

Arul Suppiah, the Somerset allrounder, has had his application for permanent residency turned down and now has to return to Malaysia to apply for a work permit ahead of the 2009 season.

Suppiah came through the cricket system at Millfield School before making his Somerset debut in 2002. Although he has failed to secure a regular first-team place, he has made himself a valuable squad player, especially in one-day cricket.

"This is very frustrating for me because obviously I thought this was all done and dusted as I have been here in Somerset for 12 years now," Suppiah told the Somerset website. "This is a bit of a shame but we have to now take things step by step.

"I will use my time back in Malaysia as a chance to get outside and carry on my pre-season training on grass."

Chief executive Richard Gould added: "We think that Arul will be granted a work permit for this coming season, but at present we are uncertain beyond that. However we have got every resource and contact working to sort this out for us."