The government's Points Based Managed Migration system means that cricket clubs will need to obtain a sponsor licence from the UK Borders Agency in order to bring cricketers and coaches from outside the EU into the country.
As part of this process, clubs must obtain from the ECB a Governing Body Endorsement BOTH for their sponsor licence and for individual players and coaches.
Following Home Office approval of ECB's Governing Body Endorsement requirement process, the guidance document, together with application forms to be used when applying for these endorsements, are found via the link to the ECB website below.
Please note that the ECB will accept electronic submissions, however applications will not be processed until a non-refundable cheque has arrived. There is no electronic payment facility available.
For further information on the Points Based Managed Migration System, please see the Home Office Website
Full details of the process can be found via this link to the ECB's website
ECB Ruling - Non Ordinarily Resident Players
The most workable definition for the purposes of non first class open age cricket of a non ordinarily resident player is:
Not a British Citizen or Irish Citizen and has not resided in England or Wales for a minimum of 18 months immediately before the date of his request for registration and has not been out of the country for longer than 35 days consecutively or 70 days in total during the previous 24 months.
or
is a British Citizen or Irish Citizen but not born within England & Wales or resided in England or Wales for a minimum of 18 months immediately before the date of his request for registration and has not been out of the country for longer than 35 days consecutively or 70 days in total during the previous 24 months.
County Boards and Leagues within a County Board or across County Boards can consider not allowing players that are not ordinarily resident to play in some divisions within their structure. In many instances this will enable clubs to focus upon improving facilities and use local coaches rather than chasing for the next best 'overseas player' because other teams in the division/league have procured the services of such a player or are about to secure one.
In short,
If a registered player or contracted player for first class cricket including an Academy player is allowed to play in a division or league then non ordinarily resident players (overseas players) must be allowed to play.
If a registered player or contracted player for first class cricket including an Academy player is not allowed to play then non ordinary residents can be excluded from these divisions or leagues. County Boards and Leagues may wish to consider how far down the structure this rule is applied as if League registration does not exist no exclusions can be effectively implemented.
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