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Christian To Make Debut Against Australia A

12 June 2013

Dan Christian will make his Gloucestershire debut in the eagerly-anticipated three-day match against Australia “A” at the Bristol County Ground, starting on Friday June 21.
Dan is due to arrive in the UK on June 18. And, with the visiting Australian squad likely to include mystery leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, interest is growing all the time in what should prove a fascinating contest.

Christian will face his fellow countrymen, having been signed by Gloucestershire primarily for this season's Friends Life t20 tournament, which begins for the club with a floodlit game against Northants at Northampton on Friday June 28.

The Australia “A” game is an ideal opportunity to give Dan a chance to settle into the side ahead of that fixture. The 30-year-old all-rounder will be available for the entire FLt20 competition to boost a Gloucestershire squad, who reached the quarter-finals last season.
Sydney-born Dan, who plays for South Australia, averages just under 21 with the bat in more than 100 T20 appearances, with a top score of 75 not out, and has taken 94 wickets with his fast-medium bowling at an average of 26.02, with a best of 5-26.

He has represented Australia 11 times in T20 cricket and has played in 17 one-day internationals, taking a hat-trick against Sri Lanka on March 2 last year.

In January he helped Brisbane Heat win Australia’s T20 tournament ‘The Big Bash’, scoring 37 off 21 balls in the final against Perth Scorchers, and his most recent appearances have been for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

Dan already has a T20 winners’ medal from the English domestic competition as he was part of the Hampshire team who lifted the trophy in 2010. He has also represented Deccan Chargers in the IPL.

Media interest in the Australia “A” game is sure to be heightened by the involvement of Fawad Ahmed, who is being fast-tracked towards possible involvement in the Ashes Series.

The Australia “A” matches against Ireland from June 14 to 17 and Gloucestershire could well prove an Ashes audition for Ahmed, whose Australian citizenship is expected to be approved in time for him to obtain a passport in advance of the First Test against England at Trent Bridge, starting on July 10.

Ahmed, 31, played ten first-class matches in Pakistan before fleeing to Australia in 2010 as an asylum seeker, saying his life had been threatened.

Initially his claim was rejected, but after Cricket Australia weighed in to support him, Ahmed was granted permanent residency last year and subsequently made his Melbourne Renegades debut in the Big Bash and earned a call-up to the Victoria state side in February.

To secure your tickets for this exciting encounter, you can buy online for big savings on match day prices. Advanced ticket prices are Adults £17.00, U16s £5.00, Family (2 adults 2 U16s) £36.00. The easiest way to book is online HERE with no booking fees.

Come with four friends and take advantage of our special offer of £12 each for 5 or more tickets. For this Group offer call our Ticket Office on 0117 910 8010 between 9-5 weekdays.

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