Former Australian Test leg-spinner Bryce McGain has said that Australian selectors may have made a mistake by giving England an early look at potential Ashes trump card Fawad Ahmed in the one-day series.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ahmed made a promising start to his international career by taking three wickets in the second Twenty20 international against England and backing up with 1-39 from 10 overs in the ODI against Scotland.
Although the selectors have strongly hinted at Ahmed playing in the return Ashes, however, McGain believes that Ahmed should have been kept concealed from England view in the ODIs as it would have prevented the hosts from gathering information on Ahmed and knowing his temperament.
McGain, one of 13 spinners to have played Test cricket for Australia since the retirement of spin legend Shane Warne, called on the selectors to hold on to Ahmed until the first Ashes Test at the Gabba if they are 'dead-set' to win back the return series, saying that England does not play leg-spin well.
However, the report said that the counter view is that Ahmed's extended audition, first with Australia A in southern Africa and then for the limited-overs phase in England, has given him time to settle, both at international level and within the team.
Ahmed is also likely to tour India for next month's limited-overs series, the report added.