Fawad Ahmed, the talented leg-spinner who begun his first-class career in Pakistan, could be on the verge of his Test debut against the West Indies.
When Ahmed fled to Australia in 2010 as an asylum seeker, not even he could have imagined he would be in the Australian squad to tour the Caribbean in 2015.
But Ahmed isn’t in the squad for his story, he’s in there because of what he has been able to achieve in his short time here in Australia.
Last season for the Victorian Bushrangers Ahmed was outstanding, particularly in the longer format of the game. With 48 wickets, including an 8/89 in the Sheffield Shield final, he he has the consistency and intelligence to trouble quality batsmen.
Leg spinners tend to hit their peak around the age of 28. Ahmed, 33, understands his craft and he will be in good stead if the opportunity arises.
With the Test match against the West Indies in Dominica around the corner, this is the perfect time for the selectors to put the faith in Fawad Ahmed.
The Caribbean these days has dry and flat pitches which don’t suit the quicker paced bowlers. Early on, yes you will see some movement from the quicks, but ask yourself, what happens when the new ball wears out?
Playing Ahmed and Nathan Lyon together will give Australia something to rely on when the new ball is past its best.
Your spinners are your weapons. They can change the game in a blink of an eye and Australia may very well need some form of inspiration towards the end of a day’s play when it just isn’t happening for the quicks.
What should set the deal for Ahmed is that he and Lyon are completely different bowlers. Ahmed’s variety is one his great strengths. From the leg-break to the wrong ‘un, he has the deliveries to trouble the very best players.
Furthermore, the fact he turns the ball away from the right hander should encourage the selectors to play him alongside Lyon, who turns it in towards the right hander.
It would be brilliant to see Ahmed feature in the first Test match. Watching any leg-spinner is entertaining but watching someone with Ahmed’s ability, you get your money’s worth. Any leg-spinner that can land ball after ball is top quality.
His tour match performance a few days ago, he showed signs that he is raring and ready to go. With a couple of wickets topped off with some good spells, there was enough there to suggest he could have an impact in the Test series.
But who comes out if Ahmed comes in?
Josh Hazlewood is certainly going to play after his impressive tour match, which included wickets and some handy runs towards the end of the innings. Lyon has been Australia’s most consistent spinner in the post-Warne era. Mitchell Johnson has been one of Australia’s best bowlers in the recent years, and Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s best bowler over the recent months.
I’ll leave the tough decision up to the selectors.
Playing two spinners in the Caribbean could be the key to Australia’s success, and Fawad Ahmed has done more than enough to earn a Test debut.
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