Warwickshire still waiting for visa for Pieter Malan

The batsman was due to join up with the Bears in the early weeks of the season but issues relating to his travel from South Africa, which is on the UK government's Covid-19 red list of countries, mean he has yet been granted a work visa

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Pieter Malan's proposed move to Warwickshire has been delayed.

The batsman was due to join up with the Bears for the season opener against Derbyshire at Edgbaston from Thursday but issues relating to his travel from South Africa, which is on the UK government's Covid-19 red list of countries, mean he has yet been granted a work visa. 

Warwickshire director of cricket Paul Farbrace said: "South Africa is currently on the red list of travel ban countries because of the COVID pandemic, which has made Pieter’s travel arrangements incredibly complex.

"Whilst we have been able to identify routes and destinations for him to serve quarantine and safely enter the UK, unfortunately Pieter has not yet been granted a visa to enter the country, which will mean that he misses at least the opening game of the Championship.

"It’s disappointing but we have excellent competition for places within the batting ranks, including the return of England opener Dom Sibley, and we look forward to starting the season this coming Thursday."

Reports in India have suggested that Hanuma Vihari, the India batsman, is being lined up by the county as a short-term replacement.

Vihari is not involved in the IPL but is likely to be part of the India squad for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton, and the subsequent five-Test series against England.

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