Australia captain Michael Clarke has “no idea” if Fawad Ahmed will be playing in the Ashes but he is certain the Pakistan-born legspinner is a very good cricketer.
Legislation fast-tracking citizenship in special circumstances, including for elite athletes such as Ahmed, cleared the Senate on Thursday.
That means it’s now simply a question of form as to whether Ahmed makes his Test debut in the Ashes series.
Clarke refuses to say if he thinks the Pakistan refugee will pull on the baggy green during the British summer.
“There’s a process that needs to take place before the selectors even have that conversation,” Clarke told reporters in London on Thursday.
“(But) whatever happens with Fawad, well, he’s a very good bowler there’s no doubt about it.”
Clarke, speaking at an Ashes promotional event on the Thames river, said he liked captaining, watching and facing spin bowling.
“At the moment I’ve enjoyed captaining Nathan Lyon in Test cricket – so hopefully that will continue,” he said of the only spinner currently in the 16-man Ashes squad.
Ahmed played first-class cricket in Pakistan before fleeing to Australia in 2010 when, after initial rejection, he was granted asylum.
The 31-year-old was picked in an Australia A squad to tour South Africa and Zimbabwe starting in July, a visit that clashes with much of the Ashes tour in England.
However, head of selectors John Inverarity says Ahmed could be called into the national squad ahead of the first Test against England starting on July 10.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Calvin Harrison mixed things up in his delivery stride starting behind the-non-striker, then going between the umpire and the stumps to deliver the ball…
Backing up too far, the Dehli Capitals batsman was caught out of his crease when Shai Hope hit the ball to the bowler who…
After some mid-over words between the Indian teammates as Kohli belted Shama for 10 runs in two balls, the bowler had the last laugh…
The TV Umpire ruled that the batsman deliberately changed his line to block the throw at the stumps.
Sunil Narine could not believe what he'd done. The Kolkata Knight Riders batter was castled first ball after shouldering arms to Mumbai Indians pacer…
James Anderson's record-breaking international cricket career will end this northern summer, following crunch talks with England head coach Brendon McCullum. Anderson announced on Saturday…
