The allegiance of Australian cricketer Sam Robson is reportedly being tested as he qualifies to represent England next year on residency grounds, although he has not ruled out playing Test cricket for Australia.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Robson, born and brought up in Sydney, chalked up 166 over six-and-a-half hours for Middlesex against Sussex, on the same ground where Australia prepared for Thursday's third Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
The report further said that even though Robson's feat, which was his third ton in a County Championship season in which he is the highest run-scorer, may have barely registered in Australia until this year, the growing intrigue about Robson's allegiance has dropped him right in the middle of what may turn out to be an Ashes-themed tug-of-war.
However, Robson said that he sees England as the best place for his cricketing development for the foreseeable future as he gets 16 four-day games a year, adding that he is used to and enjoys life in London and loves playing the County system.
But, Robson did not rule out a return to Australia, saying that his whole mantra has been to play and see where he ends up, adding that he will play it all by the ear until things pan out down the line.
Stating that the situation happened quickly this year, Robson also said that a year ago, he had been playing for Middlesex, trying to improve and establish himself in the team, adding that this is the first year he has got such attention.
A four-day specialist, Robson traded Sydney for London straight after school six years ago, after he found that he was stuck behind a procession of New South Wales batsmen like Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Simon Katich and the like.
According to Robson, he thus came over to England, trialled with Middlesex and got offered a contract there, although the report said that in the midst of an Ashes series in which Australia's top-order batsmen have struggled to score let alone survive, Robson could be just what they need.