BEAMINSTER skipper Ross Baker has admitted it is extremely unlikely that Aussie prospect Jason Dandridge will be representing the West Dorset club this season.

Dandridge had been primed to join up with the Dorset Funeral Plan Division One side earlier this month, but a combination of an illness to his daughter and problems securing a work permit has left him stranded.

The talented Western Australia fast bowler, who is on the periphery of first grade cricket after impressing last season, wanted to hone his skills with Beaminster as they mount their promotion campaign, but initially failed to find accommodation.

That was eventually sorted but with these new troubles plaguing his arrival, Baker conceded that the opportunity has probably gone.

"It would have been great to have Jason over here and after the problems we had earlier in the year with his housing it seemed he was on his way," he said.

"But his daughter became ill and now there's been an issue with his visa, which he can't obtain.

"Being three games into the season already and with the prospect of more games being cancelled due to the weather it isn't worth having him here."

Former captain Richard Bugler has been conversing with Dandridge while the situation unfolds and although he says Dandridge plans to appeal the decision to deny him a work permit, he too concurs with Baker.

He said: "It's regrettable because we would have liked to have him here, but it's not going to happen now I don't think.

"Jason's appealing the decision but as time goes on his desire to play here will diminish and there won't be enough games left in the season for him to justify coming over."