MANY cricketing pundits are struggling to explain Pakistani import Fawad Ahmed’s dramatic rise through the cricketing ranks.
But the adopted Victorian was quick to present at least one answer for his rapid success.
“The good thing here is that batsmen don’t sweep so that makes it a little bit easier for me,” he said.
“They hardly ever sweep you in the games and being a leg spinner, if no one sweeps you it is pretty easy to bowl to them.”
Ahmed is now one of the premier leg spin bowlers in state and national based competitions throughout the country and could become a future Australian representative.
However, before he was a household name, Ahmed plied his trade in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association for Hoppers Crossing.
Having started his career in Pakistan, he was forced to seek asylum in Australia after receiving threats over his involvement in the sport, which was seen as promoting western culture.
After two record breaking seasons with Hoppers Crossing, he moved to Premier Cricket Club Melbourne Uni for the 2012/13 season, a decision that has led to a breakthrough six months.
In that time he has had his Australian residency request approved, made his debut for Big Bash League side the Melbourne Renegades and starred during multiple appearances for Victoria.
But how difficult is it to travel to a new country, play with new teammates and become accustomed to new conditions?
Welcome to the life of a cricket import.
Throughout competitions in the western suburbs, clubs attempt to gain a recruiting edge by welcoming players from all over the world.
The most high profile cricket club in the West, Footscray-Edgewater, signed an import of its own during the Christmas break, Arun Harinath.
The 25-year-old is a regular fixture for first class side Surrey in his home country of England.
Harinath said both international players and their new club enjoy benefits of importing overseas talent.
“My main goal for coming out to Australia is really two-fold,” he explained.
“My place in the Surrey side is by no means guaranteed so I want to make sure I am in the best place technically when the County season starts.
“To do that I need to do well and perform at Footscray and deserve my place in this side. Just because it isn’t my official season doesn’t mean I can rest easy. I need to try and contribute every Saturday.”
Harinath has already proved to be a winner with the bat for the Bulldogs, after blasting a stunning century in round 18 against Richmond.
He and Ahmed agree that becoming accustomed to local conditions presents a challenge for overseas players.
With spin bowling more suited to the sub-continent than Australia, Ahmed said a change in weather has assisted him as the season has worn on.
From 16 Premier Cricket matches, he has taken 30 wickets at an average of just 15 runs at a strike rate of one wicket every 30 balls.
He also took seven wickets during his debut match for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.
“At the start of the district season I didn’t bowl that well. I bowled well if you look at the analysis but I wasn’t satisfied,” he said.
“In Premier Cricket, it wasn’t good at the start because it was friendlier to the fast bowlers.
“With the weather getting hotter and no rain for a few weeks, the wicket is dryer and I am getting some good spin and turn.”
Harinath added that a change in equipment also takes some getting used to.
At international level there has long been debate over which cricket ball, the Duke or the Kookaburra, is tougher for batsmen and better for bowlers.
The Duke ball is used in England while the Kookaburra is used in Australia.
Having experienced both in the past 12 months, Harinath offered his opinion. “On the Duke, the seam is more prominent and generally speaking, it swings for longer,” he said.
“In English conditions it keeps its size a lot better during the course of the day. Having spoken to a few fast bowlers, they prefer bowling with the Duke than the Kookaburra.
“The Kookaburra, generally speaking, swings early on but then it goes soft and becomes easier to bat against.
“When the shine goes off the Kookaburra ball, that is the best time for batting.”
With both players enjoying outstanding seasons, neither is planning to slow down as their respective careers continue to flourish.
Since being granted permanent residence in Australia last year, Ahmed has looked at home on the big stage of the Big Bash League, Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup.
He described receiving his residency approval as a turning point in his career.
“In July last year they (Australian Government) refused my Visa and that was a really tough time,” he said.
“I was thinking of going back (to Pakistan) and there were going to be heaps of things happening over there that would be dangerous for me.
“I was thinking about it all the time. A couple of times I went to bed in the morning and slept really late and missed the game.
“Now I feel a lot better and you can see that in my performances. I am ready to take up the challenge now.
“If I want to bowl for Australia I need to work hard and play outstanding cricket. I have the opportunity and it now depends on me.”
With the majority of Premier Cricket matches taking place on the weekend, both Ahmed and Harinath are also busy during their non-playing time.
Harinath is studying a degree through an open university in England while Ahmed is working with Cricket Victoria’s Harmony in Cricket program.
With the Premier Cricket season drawing to a close, Harinath is rapt with how his time at Footscray has gone and said it is common practice for players in his position to play elsewhere during the English winter.
“I think a lot of guys who are under contract back home go through a similar process,” he said.
“They get feedback on what they should be doing. Before Christmas the coaches and I thought it would be best to work on a few things back home. After Christmas they said to put those things into practice at a good club in a competitive environment.
“That’s what I decided to do and I have really enjoyed the experience.”
