Stuart Law's citizenship bid faces delays

Stuart Law's bid to become a non-overseas player with Lancashire looks likely to fail in the short term.

Law is applying for British citizenship - his wife comes from Liverpool - but he has been told that the process could take as long as two years. That won't cause any problems this summer, but in 2005 counties will only be able to employ one overseas player each, meaning that if Law isn't qualified by that time then Lancashire could face a tricky decision.

Law scored 1820 first-class runs at an average of 91.00 for Lancashire last summer. He plays his final match in Australia this week, for Queensland against New South Wales at the SCG.