Fawad refuses to dwell on bad spell

Fawad Ahmed says he can't remember a time when he's bowled as many short balls as he did during parts of Australia's practice match in Antigua last week.

The uncapped leg-spinner had a mixed performance in the first innings of the warm-up game against a West Indies President's XI, claiming two wickets but struggling with his control after the second of two rain delays on the opening morning.

But just three days out from a potential Test debut, Ahmed was willing to shake off the performance as not much more than an anomaly in a well-documented rise from Melbourne club cricket to the fringes of Australia's Test side. 

Video: Fawad's breaking down boundaries

More importantly, the 33-year-old is confident the spell won't hurt him when it comes time for selectors to decide on the XI for the first Test against the West Indies, starting here in Dominica on Wednesday.

"I started really well (in the tour match). The first seven or eight overs it looked like I was going to take a wicket with every single ball," Ahmed said.

"After the rain break, I'm not sure what happened. When I came back, I've never bowled that many short balls.

"But it happened and I'm happy it was in the practice game so it's all gone.

"Second innings I bowled really well. I was happy with (my) control, pace and spin.

"All the varieties came out really nicely. I really enjoyed that.

"I've come off a really good Sheffield Shield season. Not only one season, but two-and-a-half seasons. And I've represented Australia in limited overs as well.

"(The selectors are) not just going to look at six, seven, eight overs that went not as well as normally.

"They know what my ability and skills are. I think it will be fine."

With just three days to go before the first Test of the series, all Ahmed can do now is wait.

Conditions at Windsor Park - a 12,000 seat stadium nestled between the narrow winding streets of the capital Roseau and the densely forested peaks that dominate the island’s skyline - have traditionally favoured spin, and coach Darren Lehmann indicated on Friday that selectors will wait to assess the pitch in the days leading up to the match before making a final decision.

Quick Single: Lehmann remains coy on Test XI

The Australians will train at the ground for the first time today, the first of three scheduled practice sessions before play gets underway on Wednesday.

Rather than be overawed - like he has been previously - by the knowledge that a Test debut may be just around the corner, Ahmed was in a relaxed mood when he spoke to the media in Roseau on Saturday.

Quick Single: Familiar story, new story for Ahmed

"It's the same for everyone. Being a normal person, it's going to be - it's going to be more exciting than anything," he said.

"I'm looking forward to it. All the wait is gone now. Hopefully good news.

"I think the selectors know, and the coach and captain, the best possible XI for a Test.

"They will look at the conditions and then decide.

"I can say I know the culture in the Australian team. They just look to the conditions and pick their best XI for the game."

Ahmed acknowledges that his unique story means he holds an influential position in Australian sport and the wider community; a Pakistani Muslim asylum seeker who in just five years has made his way into the dressing-room of the most iconic of Australian sporting teams.

Feature: Fawad's breaking down boundaries

But while his journey to this point has been vastly different to that of his teammates, the leggie knows he will ultimately be judged by his ability to do what he did more than anyone in Sheffield Shield cricket last season - take wickets.

"People may admire you in a different way, but for me I have to perform well on the field as well to justify my selection. That's the main thing," he said.

"Whatever background you are - there are so many other different stories as well.

"It might be the guys who come from the countryside and been through tough times. They might have left their families as well to go to the city to play cricket.

"So there is a story behind every single person.

"Definitely I have to perform to justify my selection."