Harvey citizenship hits another hurdle

Ian Harvey's attempt to gain British citizenship has hit another stumbling block after it emerged that a nine-month drink-driving ban means his application can't be approved.

Without citizenship Harvey still classes as an overseas player and can't play for Derbyshire who already have Simon Katich and Travis Birt in their side. Harvey initially acted as cover for Birt when he was injured. The club hoped all the paperwork with the Home Office would have been sorted in time for him to play alongside his two fellow Australians.

Derbyshire chief executive, Tom Sears, said: "Ian was very honest about the drink driving charge, he admitted his mistake immediately, was very remorseful and the matter was dealt with internally at the time.

"We did not expect it to have this effect on his application and the sad irony is that if he had chosen to plead not guilty, drag the case on for a few weeks, it would not have shown on his record and his citizenship would have been approved."

Harvey pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April and under Home Office guidelines it counts against his character which is leading to the delay in his application.