VSDCA: Fawad Ahmed puts together dazzling display for Hoppers Crossing

Former Australian leg spinner Fawad Ahmed turned back the clock with a stunning display of bowling on a career day for Hoppers Crossing. Here’s how it played out.

Fawad Ahmed during his time with Melbourne University before Hoppers Crossing. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Fawad Ahmed has opposition batters in a spin six games into his return to Hoppers Crossing.

The former Australian leg-spinner showed why he remains a class above the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association at the weekend with 13 wickets in his side’s outright win against Melton.

The 41-year-old took 6-25 from 19 overs in the first innings as the Lions were rolled for 115 before picking it up a notch in the second dig with 7-43.

He now has 20 wickets for the season at an average of just 8.35 despite taking just three wickets in the first three games.

Ahmed has been dealing with personal tragedy in the early stages of the season after the death of his fourth-month year old son.

Hoppers Crossing captain-coach Simon Lambert said he was enjoying the opportunity to work with the former Melbourne University leggie.

“It’s been a tough few months for him and his family, but I’m glad to see he’s enjoying his cricket,” he said.

“Our home pitch is quite suited to spin and he was able to exploit those conditions at the weekend. We want to get out there and try and bowl them out as quickly as possible with the rain that was forecast.

“When Fawad is spinning the ball both ways it’s going to be extremely tough for local cricketers to try and contain, let alone score off him.

“He also took his 100th wicket for the club on the weekend, so that was another nice little milestone for him.”

While Ahmed stole the headlines with his baker’s dozen, Lambert said the performance of Kaushik Jagannathan could not be understated either in the win.

He took six of the 20 wickets with Sanka Abeyruwan claiming the only other scalp.

“He was able to extract some swing in conditions that might not have really suited the faster bowlers,” Lambert said.

The weekend’s win marked three straight victories for the Cats who have now worked their way into the North-West group top-six.

After what Lambert described as a “rough start to the season” he said his team was starting to find its best.

“I always said we had the team to challenge the best sides in the competition,” he said.

“I think last week’s win against St Bernard’s was a real crucial part of the season. Hopefully we can pick up a few more wins heading into the Christmas break.”