A TRIO of Grimsby Town CC stars will be unable to test their skills against Hyderabad U19s after the touring side encountered visa problems.
Harry Clewett, Steven Crossley and Connor Hawkins were due to play for Lincolnshire Academy in a two-day match at Appleby Frodingham, starting this morning.
All three players have been instrumental to Grimsby's promising start to the season, but will now have to wait for their chance to impress for the Imp County.
Clewett and Crossley were, in particular, hoping to use the clash as a chance to put themselves back on the Minor Counties radar.
While understandably disappointed by the cancellation, both players are determined to look at the bigger pictured.
Former Cleethorpes spinner Clewett said: "I've played a few times for Lincolnshire and didn't do much wrong in the one-day game, so hopefully they are still thinking about me in that format.
"It would have been a huge challenge for a young side. The spinners would have faced a tough task because they are used to playing on turning wickets against slow bowling.
"Me and Connor would have found it hard – they have a totally different mindset to us and it would have been interesting to see how they coped in the English conditions.
"In order to be part of the three-day Minor Counties team I will have to work on my game. I need to start turning the ball more, but if I can carry on my early season form there is no reason why that can't happen."
In a similar way to his Grimsby team-mate, wicket-keeper Crossley was eager to use the tour game as a platform on which to showcase his ability.
While the 20-year-old would not have donned the gloves against Hyderabad, his role with the bat would have been crucial to the young Imps' chance of victory.
Crossley said: "I've not played for any Lincs team for a year so it would have been nice to get back in the set-up again – it would have been ever nicer to get some runs.
"Hyderabad are a very good side and it would have been tricky for us – it will be interesting to see if any of them go on to play first-class cricket.
"But looking ahead, Mark Fell has told me that if I keep performing for Grimsby there is a chance I will be involved in the three-dayers later in the year."
The Grimsby players will not have to wait too long for their next chance, though, as the junior Imps are scheduled to face Norfolk Academy next week.
