Fawad Amed's rise is proof that Australia's first-class ranks have become a wrist-spinning wasteland Victorian spinner Fawad Ahmed celebrates another wicket. IF PAKISTANI refugee Fawad Ahmed makes the upcoming Ashes tour, it will showcase a nation spreading its wings and a cricket system which no longer has any. The classy leg-spinner's 16 wickets in three Sheffield Shield games has convinced many good judges, including national selectors, he is an international-standard bowler. But under International Cricket Council rules, Fawad is ineligible to represent Australia until August 18 unless he is given an Australian passport beforehand. A spokesman for Federal Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor said last night the matter was under review. Come in spinner: Fawad may be playing Ashes National selection chairman John Inverarity said Fawad's international selection could be a "wonderful thing for Australian society." "Fawad is a mature and very good leg-spinner," he said. If (Australian selection) were at all to happen, it would be a wonderful thing for our Australian society that somebody of that background has come and, through the medium of cricket, has become a central figure in our community. Indeed it would. Australia has been desperate to unearth an Asian-bred spin bowling role model to inspire the thousands of young immigrants that make up our increasingly multi-cultural society. But what a sorry state for Australia when they have to try to rush through passports for a refugee who was a bit-part player in a 10-match first-class career in his homeland. Australia look back with great fondness at the days when they produced not simply outstanding leg-spinners such as Shane Warne, but men who stepped up and filled a void when required such as Bob Holland, Terry Jenner, Kerry O'Keeffe, Trevor Hohns and Peter Sleep. But the coaching system of emerging slow bowlers in Australia has broken down to such an extent that the first-class ranks have become a wrist-spinning wasteland. Soon after arrival, he asked for refugee status, claiming he was persecuted by religious extremists for playing and coaching cricket. Australia is likely to choose two spinners on the Ashes tour and the natural back-up for off-spinner Nathan Lyon is a wrist spinner, of which Melbourne-based Fawad is the best in the country on the strength of his strong late-season Sheffield Shield form for Victoria. "He will be considered on merit," Inverarity said.