The Overseas Labour Service (OLS) of the Department for Education and Employment, in consultation with the ECB and the Scottish Cricket Union, have issued the criteria that will be applied in assessing applications for work permits for the 2000 cricket season from overseas cricket players and coaches. This information is important to any club that employs an overseas national as their professional, and also to any overseas cricketer wanting to play or coach in the UK in 2000.

PLAYERS

Games Played

A club wishing to employ an overseas national as a cricket player will need to ensure that the player has, during the 18 months immediately prior to the date of the work permit application, played in:

a) A minimum of 1 Test Match for his country (consisting of 5 days); or
b) At least 3 One Day International matches for his country; or
c) A minimum of 5 First Class matches (not one day matches – see below).

The definition of first class matches will be that set down by the International Cricket Council in their regulations. However, only those cricketers who have played at this level in matches of 3, 4 or more days duration will be considered as first class for the purposes of determining whether the five First Class matches criterion is satisfied.

For points a) and b) the OLS should be able to find the information to verify the claim on the Internet. In all circumstances the OLS will require written verification for point c) of the five matches played by the overseas player from the relevant country’s authorised Cricket Board representative before authorising the issue of a work permit. In order to do this the OLS should be provided with the player’s full name and date of birth (as stated on the player’s passport).

OLS will exercise their discretion when considering applications for former Test Match players who do not meet the criteria stated above.

Injuries

Exclusion from selection for First Class matches due to injury will be a factor that is taken into consideration when applying the criteria. Clubs will be asked to submit supporting medical evidence in such cases.

Salary

The expected salary for a cricketer for the 2000 season is a minimum of £150 per week plus accommodation e.g. if the club want to give the player £50 towards accommodation, the player should then receive £200 per week. Travel costs must be excluded from this.

Contracts

All applications should include a copy of a contract, signed by both parties and on the club’s letterhead, detailing the terms and conditions of employment.

Length of Issue

A work permit will be issued from 1 April to 30 September (subject to contract). The OLS will not normally issue a work permit that extends beyond 30 September.

Supplementary Employment

Counties/Clubs should be reminded that work permits are issued for periods of specific employment with one employer. Cricketers cannot play for any other club unless a written request from the respective club is received alongside confirmation that they have no objections from the club which holds the work permit. OLS will then confirm in writing whether they agree to this supplementary work.

Amateurs

The OLS does not issue work permits to amateurs.

PLAYER/COACH

For a player to qualify for a position at a cricket club which includes an element of coaching in the job description, the applicant must, in all cases, provide evidence that the individual has: