Random Cricket Photos Post 54

#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy

For years, Australia had a magician in their ranks by the name of Shane Warne. And then once Warne left the stage, it was as if he took the spin gods on a long vacation with him. The cupboards looked empty and Australia grew more and more desperate for Warne's successor, especially after humiliating defeats in India. In 2013, the desperation was probably at its peak as Australian cricket’s fortunes appeared dwindling.

In 2010, when a Pakistani came to seek asylum after being persecuted for promoting women’s education in the NWFP region, his claims were not believed by the tribunal member. In fact, his claim for asylum was initially rejected by both the Immigration Department and Refugee Review Tribunal.

However, it was learnt by some that this asylum seeker was a leg-spinner of some pedigree and had played FC cricket in Pakistan. He proved that by wowing all at his club Hoppers Crossing with his leg spin that fetched him 90 wickets in 24 games at an average of 12. By mid-2012, after he had earned the attention of the cricketing fraternity of the country, the sword of deportation began to hang on his neck though. But it is believed Cricket Australia lobbyists intervened at this point and fast-tracked his citizenship application, which according to the department was a ‘borderline’ case. Fast-tracking his citizenship even needed changes being made in the Citizenship Act, which was also duly done to hand him citizenship before 2013 Ashes in England.

Sadly, though, six years later, Fawad Ahmed, the man touted as Warne’s successor has 708 wickets lesser than the Victorian since he never made it to an Australian Test XI.