ArjunNair

Off-spinner Arjun Nair made his first-class debut as a 17-year-old when he played for the NSW Blues against South Australia in Coffs Harbour.

It was the first of two Shield matches Nair played, with his second appearance coming against Victoria in Alice Springs where he played alongside Test spinner Nathan Lyon. 

Nair has risen quickly through NSW’s ranks. 

In 2014-15 he represented NSW Metro at both the Under-19 and Under-17 National Championships, winning both titles, as well playing for the Australian Under-19 team.

In 2015-16 he was judged Player of the Final as NSW Metro upset ACT/NSW Academy in the Under-19 National Championships. 

Nair made his Toyota Futures League debut against the ACT in Canberra in the last round of the competition. He responded by taking eight wickets for the match on a flat pitch, with this performance convincing selectors to elevate him to the Shield side. 

One of Nair’s strengths is his ability to bowl a “doosra”. He taught himself to bowl this delivery by studying YouTube videos of West Indian Sunil Narine. 

Nair showcased his all-round ability for the Cricket Australia XI during the 2016 Matador Cup, making 67 with the bat before grabbing 3-53 with the ball in a man-of-the-match performance against Victoria.