Cricket Australia's (CA) aspirations to bring Sydney-born Middlesex 'run machine' Sam Robson back to their fold have reportedly been complicated by a written agreement that he gave, stating his desire to play for England.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Robson, the leading run-scorer in the County Championship, has been courted by CA in an effort to convince him to play in the Sheffield Shield with New South Wales (NSW) this summer, which, if his form with the bat continued, would place him in contention for an Australian Test call-up.
The report further said that Robson could now feature in the Shield and appear as a local in county cricket on a British passport, as CA rule changes governing the eligibility of players with dual passports would allow him to turn out for NSW as an 'overseas player' despite being Australian born
However, the report added that the attempt to convince Robson to pledge allegiance to Australia is complicated by the fact that as an overseas-born player in the county system he needed to sign a document siding with England when he joined Middlesex as a teenager.
According to Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser, the document, which states the desire and intention of a player to play for and qualify for England, was signed by Robson four or five years ago and is still in place, adding that as such, the CA rule amendment does not change anything from their perspective.
Having officially qualified for England this month, Robson is reportedly a strong candidate for selection on the England Lions tour of Australia this summer, in a squad that will shadow Alastair Cook's Ashes side.
But if the report added that if CA and NSW have their way, he will be playing against England in a tour match at the Sydney Cricket Ground before the first Test in Brisbane, and maybe even for Australia.
