Australia's chief selector John Inverarity saysPakistani asylum-seeker Fawad Ahmed will be in contention for a place in theAshes squad to tour England if he is granted citizenship in time.
The 31-year-old leg-spinner was handed a permanent visa toremain in Australia in November after leaving his home in the border regionnear Afghanistan, where he said he was targeted by Muslim extremists.
But to play for Australia in the Ashes from July he needsfast-tracked citizenship and an Australian passport.
Otherwise, under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules,he will not become available until August 18, before the fifth Test at theOval.
"Fawad Ahmed is a mature and very goodleg-spinner," Inverarity told the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
"I've seen quite a bit of him and all those who haveplayed against him, and the coaching staff, rate him as a good bowler.
"He would certainly come under consideration. It willall be considered on merit. He will be treated no differently from anybodyelse."
Inverarity admitted the significance of a formerasylum-seeker from Pakistan playing for Australia could not be understated.
"If it were all to happen, it would be a wonderfulthing for our Australian society, someone who through the medium of cricket hasbecome a central figure in our community," he said.
Since his arrival, Ahmed has established himself with theMelbourne Renegades in the T20 Big Bash League and made an appearance for thePrime Minister's XI against the West Indies in January.
He is seen as a handy back-up to Nathan Lyon, with few otherstand-out spinning candidates beyond Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell.