Second Division Cricket: Red tape sees pro David Harper ruled out for Kelburne

The Guyanese all-rounder, who has been playing in Scotland for the past decade, has fallen foul of new coaching certificate regulations.

Harper holds a West Indian qualification, but the document is not recognised by the sport's ruling body north of the border.

He will be absent from the Paisley club's line-up for today's clash with SMRH at Inverleith, tomorrow's Scottish Cup opener against local rivals Renfrew and for the forseeable future.

Kelburne skipper Steve McLister said: "This is a nightmare scenario for us. We faxed David's West Indian level two coaching certificate to league administrator Stewart Oliver – only for him to tell us it was no use.

"We had been so looking forward to our return to the national scene, but this issue has put a dampener on the whole thing. We lost our first match last weekend to Corstorphine and being without our pro made a huge difference to us.

"I would hope we can be strong enough to beat SMRH without Harps, but that remains to be seen."

Oliver, meanwhile, said he had no option but to put the curb on Harper. He said: "Cricket Scotland follow the same rules as the ECB and that means that the qualifications held by David Harper are not recognised.

"The only coaching certificates regarded as being the equivalent of the ECB level two are Australia level one, New Zealand level one and South Africa level two. No qualifications from West Indies, Sri Lanka, India or Pakistan are relevant. However, I have pointed out to Kelburne that there is an opportunity for Harper to attend a level two coaching course in England very soon."

Elsewhere, Ferguslie make the short trip to face Weirs, while promotion favourites Dumfries host Renfrew. There's a local derby between Corstorphine Imans Edinburgh and Freuchie are at home to West Lothian.