Lancashire Lose Du Plessis Appeal

Lancashire County Cricket Club have lost their appeal to keep South African Francois du Plessis at the club "due to changes in immigration criteria."

The 25-year-old would have been playing for the third season but changes mean the Red Rose County cannot keep him as a kolpak or overseas player.

The all-rounder had become a regular since joining as a kolpak player in April 2008.

The right-hand batsman and leg break bowler played 19 Twenty20 matches for the Old Trafford outfit scoring 355 runs with a highest score of 78 not out. He also took 14 wickets with a best of 2-13.

In First Class matches he scored 984 runs and took 12 catches while taking 12 wickets with a best of 3-61.

The news comes as a blow especially with statistics showing his second year was better than his first in terms of batting.

In Twenty20 matches he upped his best score from 57 not out to 78 not out but only took five wickets compared to nine in his first season.

In County Championship matches in 2008, he had a highest score of 57 and took only four catches. Last year, he had a highest score of 86 not out and took eight catches.

However, he bowled less last year than in his first year at the county taking only four wickets compared to double that in 2008 in four day matches.

Du Plessis, who also plays for the Titans in South Africa, leaves Lancashire with a best score of 113 not out off 75 balls in a Friends Provident Trophy win against Essex.

Du Plessis is not the only player affected with Riki Wessels and Johan van der Wath both ineligible for Northamptonshire in the forthcoming season.