Visa issues rule Cheteshwar Pujara out of Sussex's season opener

Pujara will now likely make his debut for the county against Derbyshire instead

Sussex will be without Cheteshwar Pujara for their LV= Insurance County Championship opener against Nottinghamshire because of visa delays.

The India batter was signed as an overseas player when Travis Head opted out of his contract last month.

Pujara's debut will, therefore, likely come against Derbyshire next week. He is due at Hove until at least the end of the Royal London Cup.

Keith Greenfield, the club's performance director, explained that a renegotiation of Pujara's initial deal – to allow him to return later in the season – caused a change in visa requirements that have led to the delay.

"On top of this," he added, "the Ukraine crisis has meant that the Home Office as [redirecting] their resources to help with the displacement of Ukrainian citizens. We were expecting Pujara to be with us last weekend but can now confirm he will be here at the back end of this week."

Ian Salisbury, the county's head coach for red-ball cricket, said that he was "extremely disappointed" not to have Pujara's experience to call upon in a young side, especially given the strength of Nottinghamshire's bowling attack.