Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly planning to bring back prolific Sydney-born Middlesex opener Sam Robson back to his country of birth before he is swooped upon by Alastair Cook-led England side.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, CA has devised a scheme under which Robson would be able to start this season with domestic side New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield and possibly even play against England this summer.
Although the report said that a rule change governing the eligibility of players with dual passports in domestic competitions must first be passed, however, it added that the path would then be clear for Robson, the leading run-scorer in this year's County Championship, to join NSW this year.
According to the report, the plan would involve Robson featuring in the youth-oriented national second XI competition, the Futures League, for NSW before the start of the domestic season.
The report further said that this would allow the player to audition for a call-up to the full state side for the first Shield match of the summer, following which, he can ironically play against Cook's Ashes-winning team as NSW is scheduled to play England in a four-day match from November 13, a week before the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
The report mentioned that the plan to bring back Robson, who has 933 runs and three hundreds for Middlesex this season, back to the Australian fold may have come after the announcement that he had qualified to represent England on residency grounds a year earlier than expected.
The report also said that a CA rule change on the definition of an overseas player will be beneficial for Robson as he would be able to remain as a local player in the county system but also feature for NSW and challenge for Australian selection during summer.
However, the report added that Robson, whose mother was born in England, cannot be chosen for NSW yet because although born in Australia, he plays county cricket on a British passport.
