Cleary denied work permit for Glamorgan

Mark Cleary, the South Australia seamer, has been denied a work permit to join Glamorgan because he hasn't played enough first-class cricket over the past two years.

The Home Office view was supported by the ECB after Glamorgan wanted to sign Cleary, 27, to bolster an injury-hit bowling attack. It is the third time they have missed out on an overseas player after West Indies paceman Daren Powell opted for Hampshire and Ravi Rampaul picked up a groin injury.

Cleary has had previous stints with Yorkshire and Leicestershire, but during the past Australian domestic season was restricted to Ford Ranger Cup one-day outings for his state.

Glamorgan have struggled to field a frontline attack all season with David Harrison ruled out for the whole campaign with a back injury and Simon Jones making tentative steps in his recovery. Jones played in a recent Pro40 match, sending down two overs in a rain-reduced match, but Glamorgan are also expecting to lose 17-year-old James Harris to England Under-19 duty next month.