Australian cricket star Mitchell Starc deported from the UK

AUSTRALIAN bowler Mitchell Starc has been deported from the UK after a problem with his visa.

Starc, who was being lined up to play cricket for Yorkshire in their County Championship Division Two match against Gloucestershire, endured a four-hour wait at Heathow Airport when he touched down at the weekend but was initially released.

Since then it has emerged that a problem with the paperwork provided by Cricket Australia has forced him to return home before coming back to England in time to face Hampshire next week.

Yorkshire had hoped a solution could be found with the Home Office in time to hand the 22-year-old left-armer a debut at Bristol on Thursday, but were left disappoined.

Starc wrote on Twitter: ”Well that’s a first! Being deported from England…surely nothing else can go wrong can it?!?!

”Visa issue. Incorrect communication from Aus. Will be straight back to UK ASAP once sorted. In time for next Yorkshireccc game.

”The Yorkshireccc have been brilliant to me…disappointed I won’t get to play tomorrow but good luck to the lads!”

Starc, who has to fly all the way back home just to fill in some forms before jumping on a return flight, hopes the visa issue will be sorted before Yorkshire’s match next week.

The exciting young Australian cricket star was due to begin an initial five-week deal to help offset the departure of England quick Ajmal Shahzad, who was allowed to leave the club last week to join Lancashire on loan.

It’s not the first time the UK’s strict border measures have hampered elite sportsmen and women from being able to compete. Just last week three West Indies players were detained for a lengthy period at Heathrow as they arrived for the West Indies tour of England.

Have you or do you know of someone who has been deported? Tell us below: