Sandeep Lamichhane, who has made his name in national cricket with his mesmerising leg-spin bowling, is likely to get a wonderful international exposure in Australia if former Australian captain Michael Clarke’s invite to play for his academy materialises.  

The 16-year-old recently played alongside Clarke in the Hong Kong Blitz Twenty20 cricket tournament for Kowloon Cantons, a three-day event played on May 27-29. The event ended with Cantons sharing the trophy with Hung Hom JD Jaguars in the rain-affected tournament.

Impressed with the bowling skills of the Nepali teenager, Clarke has offered Lamichhane a chance to play for his academy team—Michael Clarke Cricket Academy—in Sydney.

“He (Clarke) offered me to play for his academy and inquired about [my] free time to tour Australia,” said Lamichhane. “I have informed [him] that I will be available in September,” added Lamichhane, referring to Nepal’s next outing in July 13 and 15, when they tour the Netherlands for the ICC World Cricket League Division Championship matches. “It would be a great opportunity for me,” said Lamichhane. According to the leg-spinner, Clarke will himself make all necessary arrangements for his Australia tour, including travel and accommodation. “I was really excited when Clarke said I had the potential to even make it to the Australian Big Bash League.”

Lamichhane earned praises, even was likened to Australian spin legend Shane Warne, after his performance in the ICC U-19 World Cup held in January-February this year in Bangladesh.

Lamichhane took 14 wickets during the tournament, where he ended up as the second highest wicket-taker.

The U-19 World Cup was his first international tournament before he impressed further during Nepal’s ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) matches against Namibia in Kathmandu in April.

The match against Namibia was his debut for the senior team.