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The Ashes squad is one week away from being named, and with one more round of Shield matches to go and an Australia A game to be played, potential squad members have one last chance to impress.
One of those will be leg spinner Fawad Ahmed.
Ahmed moved to Australia in 2010 from Pakistan and started playing cricket in Victoria, having already played first class cricket in Pakistan.
He started to impress the Australian cricketing community, last season he taking 16 wickets in three first class appearances.
He was then talked about as a potential 2013 England Ashes squad member, however Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon were used as Australia’s spinners during the series.
After being granted citizenship, he did made his debut for Australia, and has now played three one day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.
Ahmed showed promise on the international stage. He took three wickets in one T20 game and showed signs he could run through a batting order.
His first class numbers are just about the best of any spinner in the country. He has played 19 matches and has taken 62 wickets at just over 30.
And in the first Shield match for this summer, he grabbed a six-wicket haul to hand Victoria first innings points over WA.
More importantly, however, he has proved that he can run through a batting line-up, something no current Australian spinner has shown they can do.
Ahmed would make a great selection for the Ashes. Nathan Lyon is a quality spinner, but Ahmed can literally turn a match.
Lyon does have a pretty nice Test record, though, with 85 wickets at 33.23 in his 25 Test matches. That average is still rather high, but will come down with more wickets.
The Shane Watson injury could have an effect on his potential selection.
By having four seam bowlers at the Gabba, Australia could afford to select an aggressive spinner in Ahmed. With Watson out, they may be forced to stick with Lyon, who can bowl steady.
Whichever way the selectors go, the bowling attack will be one of the major strengths of the Australian team this summer.
There is not much other choice with spinners. Xavier Doherty is not a Test spinner – he doesn’t even hold a regular spot in their Shield side.
Adam Zampa and Cameron Boyce are still a few years away. They are both young, but have some developing to do.
Glenn Maxwell is not a front line spinner. He is handy, but is more of a lower order hitter. Same with Steve Smith – he is more of an all-rounder and has started focusing on his batting more.
Agar may come into the frame, but I doubt he will play Test cricket for a few years now. Ahmed has shown great signs and should be the biggest threat to Lyon’s spot.
I think the selectors will stick with Lyon, because he is a steady and a proven performer.
But I would like to see the selectors take a gamble which could help Australia claim back the urn.
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