LAVINGTON Panthers have resigned themselves to playing out the Cricket Albury-Wodonga season with- out West Indian import Jason Smith.
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Smith, a former Barbados under-19 captain, was expected to arrive on the Border in October but was turned away at Sydney airport after visa complications.
Lavington officials tried to organise a new visa for Smith but yesterday Panthers president Grant Ball said time had run out for him to play this season.
“At this stage he won’t come down this year,” Ball said.
“His initial visa was refused and we’ve worked hard to sort out another one, which has been granted but not until April next year which is obviously too late.
“We haven’t spoken to him recently but his experience and class would have been great for the club and the competition.
“We’re happy to leave it until next year but it is frustrating and a bit disappointing not to get him here this season.”
Smith promised to be the highest quality recruit in CAW in more than a decade.
His talent was made apparent when he was called into the West Indies’ 13-man squad to play England at Old Trafford last year while playing at Westbury in the British Cheshire League.
Lavington had planned for Smith and Trent Ball to share the coaching duties this season, with Ball now assuming senior responsibilities in Smith’s absence.
Paul Mongan, who has returned to the club after a brief retirement, will be Ball’s assistant.
The Panthers have recruited well to counteract Smith’s unavailability, with the club’s first grade team sitting fourth on the Provincial table after three rounds.
The club has welcomed back Mongan and fast bowler Steven Keene as well as signing young star Steven Taylor (Holbrook) and Michael Klein-Boonshcate (Albury).
Trent Ball, who played his first game in second grade last round after suffering a knee injury in June, will return to seniors after Christmas.
