Fawad boosts Test claims in Shield final

Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed continues to put his hand up for higher honours after he was the standout bowler for Victoria on the opening day of the Bupa Sheffield Shield final in Hobart.

Quick Single: Report, highlights from day one in Hobart

The Pakistan-born tweaker claimed three impressive top-order wickets to keep the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers within striking distance of the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors, who finished day one on 4-310 on a batsman-friendly pitch.

Fawad’s three wickets included in-form veteran Michael Klinger and Test batsman Shaun Marsh to stake his claim as Nathan Lyon’s understudy on the upcoming Test tours of the Caribbean and British Isles for the Ashes.

Fawad removes Marcus Harris on day one

Standing in the way of the 33-year-old are two left-arm orthodox spinners in New South Welshman Stephen O’Keefe and his rival spinner in the Shield final Ashton Agar.

It’s a complex decision for the National Selection Panel as to who will partner Lyon to at least the West Indies, where the wickets are more conducive to spin and warrant the inclusion of a second slow bowler.

In O’Keefe they have the Test incumbent behind Lyon after the NSW Blues product made his Test debut in October last year against Pakistan in the UAE, and was dropped one match later.

Fawad gets Marsh with a wrong 'un

In Agar they have the 21-year-old young gun who made a shock Test debut in the first Ashes Test of 2013 at Trent Bridge in a match that is remembered more for his batting than bowling, and was dropped two matches later.

And in Fawad they have the Sheffield Shield’s leading wicket-taker, who made his one-day international debut against Scotland in Edinburgh two years ago, and was dropped three matches later.

But in the closest indication to date of which way the NSP is leaning, it’s Agar who appears to have his nose in front after he was added to the Commonwealth Bank Sydney Pink Test squad in January in case the traditionally spin-friendly SCG wicket was a raging turner.

Fawad gets through Klinger in Hobart

One man who has faced all three bowlers, and done exceedingly well against them, is WA captain Adam Voges.

Fresh off completing his sixth Shield century of the season to also put his name in front of the NSP, Voges says the control the Victorian wrist-spinner possesses separates him from the rest of the field.

"I think he bowled a handful of bad balls all day, so he’s at you all the time," Voges said.

"He got a little bit of spin on this wicket. There’s a little bit of rough forming outside the left-hander’s off-stump for him when came around the wicket.

"And that ball to bowl Marcus Harris, who was pretty well set I thought, was a pretty good ball.

Voges has praise for Fawad Ahmed

"He’s always been a good bowler and as the game goes on and the pitch gets harder to bat on I’m sure he’s going to play a big part."

While they may play for different states, perform different roles and have vastly different backgrounds, both Voges and Fawad are vying for the same thing – a call up to the Australian Test team.

At 35, Voges is having his best season in first-class cricket, and says the goal of playing cricket for his country has never changed.

The same goes for Fawad.

Both men have had a taste of international cricket in the limited-overs formats, but it’s the Baggy Green cap that remains the ultimate destination.

The pick of the Vics reflects on day one

"That’s what we’re all aiming for," Fawad said.

"To do good for your team in the whole season and on the big game, the grand final, I was hoping to lead from the front like I did in the whole season.

"I’m pretty happy so far, and there’s a lot of hard work is still going to come in this game."

Fawad has his chance to press his case further on day two and then it will be Agar's turn to put his hand up.

The selectors will be watching with interest.