AN International cricketer has been playing for his country instead of returning to East Lancashire to face trial for indecent assault.

Police are now to put pressure on the English and Indian cricket boards to ensure Jai Prakash Yadav appears in court.

But today the solicitor defending the 30-year-old, formerly of Ribblesdale League club Blackburn Northern, insisted his client would return of "his own volition" to face the charge.

Jai Prakash Yadav, 30, formerly of Ribblesdale League club Blackburn Northern, has not been in the country since shortly after he was charged in June.

He has twice failed to appear in court on days when it was later discovered he had been playing for India in his home country.

The situation prompted a warrant to be issued for his arrest by Blackburn Magistrates and for police to seek Yadav's extradition.

The warrant is still outstanding -- and Yadav is continuing to play cricket for India.

He most recently bowled seven overs for the Indian one-day side in a match against Sri Lanka after coming on as a substitute.

He played in the first five of the seven match one-day series against Sri Lanka, which India won 6-1.

In August, he also scored 69 playing for India against New Zealand in Bulawayo.

He has been called up to play for his country again in three one-day matches against South Africa later this month.

Detective Inspector Jim Elston said today that, after inquiries with the Crown Prosecution Service, extraditing Yadav may now be ruled out.

However, he revealed officers would be trying to use diplomacy instead to secure his return.

Mr Elston added: "Whilst he is a professional cricketer he is not above the law and he has failed to appear and that is a serious breach of the judicial process.

"It is clearly holding up the legal process because until he enters a plea a date for any trial cannot be fixed

"We are currently in the process of liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service and our legal department as to the best means of progressing this case.

"We will be in contact with the appropriate cricket boards to apply some pressure to try and get him back."

However, Yadav's solicitor, Basharat Ditta, of Forbes, said his client was always intending to come back to face court once his playing duties were complete.

Mr Ditta added: "My client has always maintained his innocence. The police and the Crown Prosecution Service were advised in relation to his obligations to play cricket in India and the court was also informed of the position.

"My client, on completion of his cricketing duties, will return of his own volition to defend these allegations."

Yadav is accused of indecently assaulting a girl while watching Blackburn Northern's second XI Lawrenson Cup game against Settle on May 8.

When he failed to appear before Blackburn Magistrates to face the charge in October, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Yadav had previously missed a court appearance in July because he was playing for Indian in Sri Lanka.

All-rounder Yadav, who is known by his initials JP, joined the Ribblesdale League club in May and made a handful of appearances. He no longer plays for the club.