Australian government set to expel English journalists

Cricket Australia

Three English tabloid journalists are set to be expelled due to Australia’s stringent immigration laws and hence will not be able to cover the end of England’s disastrous tour.

Dean Wilson from the Mirror, Paul Newman of the Daily Mail, and John Etheridge of The Sun have been refused the license to stay. Etheridge is one of English cricket journalism’s most experienced operators.

Cricket Australia had tried to negotiate on their behalf, said Etheridge, but to no avail as he added that “all avenues have been exhausted”. The Australian visa department had recommended the visa on which the three were travelling.

These 3 journalists had opted to cover the entire tour, including the warm-up matches, and had hence surpassed the 90 days deadline. They are the only three members of England’s travelling media pack who had opted to cover the entire tournament.

“We had hoped to stay long enough to see England win a match,” Etheridge said.

Newman tweeted:

Seven English players and members of the support staff have also exceeded 90 days, although they have not been evicted by Australia as they are travelling on a different visa.

Cricket Australia and the ECB have done all they can to help us but I guess, in Australia particularly, rules are rules…

— Paul Newman (@newman_cricket) January 23, 2014