Australia made right call to not to fast-track Fawad Ahmed into Test side in 2013, according to Brad Haddin

BRAD Haddin says it would have been a bad look for Australian cricket had Fawad Ahmed been fast-tracked for a Test debut in 2013 as was originally planned.

Sheffield Shield Victorian Bushrangers v Western Warriors MCG,Picture Wayne Ludbey. Fawad Ahmed, 6 for 68.today,

BRAD Haddin says it would have been a bad look for Australian cricket had Fawad Ahmed been fast-tracked for a Test debut back in 2013 as was originally planned.

However, the veteran wicketkeeper believes the Pakistan-born asylum seeker has now well and truly earned the right to wear the baggy green.

Ahmed appears just two weeks away from capping a remarkable fairytale and becoming Australia’s 442nd Test cricketer, with selectors understood to be leaning towards tackling the West Indies with a dual-spin attack in the two-match series starting in Dominica on June 3.

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The Australians jetted out for their marathon three-month campaign of the Caribbean and England on Monday with the winds of change already blowing, after 37-year-old Haddin admitted it would be his last overseas Test tour, following his decision to call time on his decorated ODI career.

But the most immediate change is set to be the blooding of Australia’s latest legspinner.

Haddin kept to Ahmed in the UK two years ago for Australia A, when the tweaker, with his newly acquired citizenship, was pencilled in to be a shock addition to the Ashes squad.

In the end, Ahmed was sent back to Sheffield Shield level, and after a stellar season for Victoria in the summer just gone, the hard work has paid off and he’s set to partner Nathan Lyon against the Windies and audition for that elusive Ashes berth.

Haddin praised the selectors’ handling of Ahmed’s development, arguing a snap debut last Ashes series could have jeopardised the sanctity of Test selection.

Fawad Ahmed is likely to earn his first Test cap against the West Indies. Picture: Annette Dew

“I think they’ve done the right thing. I don’t think he was ready two years ago,” Haddin said at Sydney airport as the team departed for the West Indies.

“I like that he had to go back to State cricket and earn the right to play for Australia.

“I don’t think it would have been a good look if we had just given him his cap there.

“I don’t think he’d done the yards.

“And from a personal point of view he’ll feel a lot more confident now in his game after performing for Australia A and bowling Victoria to a Shield win.

“He’s demanded to be selected on performance.”

Lyon and Ahmed’s anticipated selection would leave the Australian attack one starting paceman short, opening the door for seaming all-rounders Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh to once again play in the same side.

Selectors went with that combination for the first two Tests of last summer’s series against India, before Marsh broke down with a hamstring injury.

Watson’s patchy form against India had left his Test future on the brink, but his rejuvenation during the victorious World Cup, combined with his experience, should be enough for the 33-year-old to retain his spot in what promises to be a new-look batting order.

Steve Smith is set to mirror his one-day ascension and rise to the pivotal No. 3 position in the line-up, after captain Michael Clarke hinted as much during the latter stages of the Cup.

That would allow Clarke to come in at No. 4 and Watson at 5 in an experienced, stable and versatile looking top order.

Selectors are always hesitant to rotate the pace attack, but given spearheads Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are coming off IPL campaigns, and the all-important Ashes series immediately follows the West Indies, there might be a temptation to keep the big left-armers fresh for England.

Peter Siddle is the kind of workhorse who could play both Tests in the Caribbean while Ahmed’s presence would only increase the likelihood that the quicks could be mixed and matched.

Ahmed took 48 wickets at 24.85 for Victoria last Shield season and has spent the past few weeks training with other spinners’ at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

Haddin isn’t the only star to confirm expected retirement plans, with opener Chris Rogers declaring the Ashes will be his swan song.

Like Clarke, Haddin has now officially retired from one-day cricket following a fitting World Cup victory and now he will now weigh up whether to bow out after England like Rogers or perhaps more likely farewell the game with one last home summer.

Meanwhile, Watson is set to sign with the Sydney Thunder as their future captain post Mike Hussey, a sign that his international career may also be entering its final 12-18 months.

Mass retirements set Australian cricket back a long way in the late 2000s as an era of superstar players exited, and the game will be relying on the likes of Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh to take the baton forward.

“It’ll definitely be my last overseas tour I reckon,” said Haddin.

“I still think I’ve got a lot of Test cricket left in me so from that point of view I’m comfortable with where my game’s at. But you’ve got to give the Ashes campaign the respect it deserves and I’m not thinking about retirement or anything at the moment. I just want to be part of this campaign.”

AUSTRALIA POSSIBLE XI FOR WINDIES: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh/Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Fawad Ahmed

AUSTRALIA’S UPCOMING TEST SCHEDULE

*June 3 first Test v West Indies in Dominica

*June 11 second Test v West Indies in Jamaica

*July 8 first Ashes Test in Cardiff

*July 16 second Ashes Test at Lord’s

*July 29 third Ashes Test at Edgbaston

*August 6 fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge

*August 20 fifth Ashes Test at The Oval

Originally published as Australia made right call to not to fast-track Fawad Ahmed into Test side in 2013, according to Brad Haddin