Rehan Ahmed has been added to the England squad for the second Ashes Test as cover for Moeen Ali.
One man who would be beaming with pride would be Shane Warne.
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The late-great Warne was an Australia legend, but what he also loved was passing on his knowledge to the younger generation.
A video has resurfaced on Twitter showing the leg-spinner speaking to a 13-year-old Ahmed.
He can be heard saying: “That’s awesome, man. Really, really good. I’m going to keep a close eye on you.
“I think I’m going to be commentating on you very soon. I think you will be playing first-class cricket by the age of 15.”
Warne was well known for being very generous with his time, particularly to youngsters wanting to pick his brains over the art of spin bowling.
He clearly saw something special in that 13-year-old leg spinner and his predictions were not far wrong.
Ahmed made his List A debut at 16 and became the youngest male player to make a Test debut for England.
He was 18 when he played for England against Pakistan in December.
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He went on to break the equivalent records in the T20 and ODI formats and could add the title of England’s youngest ever player in a men’s Ashes, eclipsing Brian Close’s appearance at Melbourne in 1950.
Ahmed made an eye-catching debut in Karachi, taking seven wickets in the match and five for 48 in the second innings, and will join Ben Stokes’ side this weekend as cover for Moeen.
Moeen, who is twice Ahmed’s age at 36, struggled throughout the two-wicket defeat at Edgbaston due to a burst blister on his right index figure.
The second Test starts at Lord’s on Wednesday.
