Visa troubles delay Blignaut

A delay in applying for an Australian visa means Andy Blignaut, the former Zimbabwe allrounder, will almost certainly miss Tasmania's start to the season.

Blignaut, one of 15 players sacked by Zimbabwe's board in a row over racist selection policies, was expected to land in Hobart this week but has instead returned to his homeland after playing for the English county Durham.

Tasmanian officials are pushing to have the application rushed through the Department of Immigration after Blignaut, 26, did not apply for the visa until he finished with Durham.

"We're doing all we can from this end but these procedures invariably take time," the Tasmania Cricket Association chief executive David Johnston told The Australian.

Tasmania, who also attracted Michael Bevan during the winter, open the season with an ING Cup one-day game on October 15 against Western Australia at the Waca.