Former South Africa Under-19 batsman Dean Foxcroft’s attempt to play for New Zealand in international cricket has again been hampered by border restrictions.
Foxcroft will miss a second successive season with Otago in New Zealand, after Immigration NZ did not approve an exception to the coronavirus-enforced border restrictions.
The 23-year-old Foxcroft was offered an Otago contract last month, pending a border exception. He will reportedly be removed from the list of 15 contracted players this month.
“We are devastated for Dean,” said Otago Cricket chief executive officer Mike Coggan.
“He has made a formal commitment with New Zealand Cricket to make himself available, through the qualifying process, to play for the BlackCaps.
“But due to the current government restrictions in place, he is unable to get back into the country to meet these commitments.
“He is absolutely distraught, and we are too. Over the past 18 months, we have done everything possible to get him back to Otago and at every turn our applications have been denied.
“He sees himself as a New Zealander, who aspires to play for New Zealand one day. We will not give up on supporting Dean to realise his goals.”
Foxcroft at Pretoria High School Old Boys Cricket Club
The talented right-hander hasn’t been able to play professional cricket in New Zealand since March, last year.
But at amateur level in South Africa, was Pretoria High School Old Boys Cricket Club’s leading run-scorer in the 2020-21 Northerns Cricket premier league.