Clarke takes young Nepalese spinner under wing

Former Australian captain spotted Sandeep Lamichhane while he was coaching recently in Hong Kong

SYDNEY: Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has taken a young Nepalese leg-spinner under his wing, helping bring him to Sydney to train at his academy and play with his club.

Clarke spotted Sandeep Lamichhane, 16, while he was coaching recently in Hong Kong, recognising his “outstanding potential.”

“It is a really exciting opportunity to have such a talented Nepalese cricketer travel this distance to come and test his skills and improve his game at my academy,” said Clarke, who sponsored the boy to get him to Australia.

“Sandeep is a fantastic young man who enjoys his cricket and is extremely passionate about the game,” he added.



Lamichhane, whose has played for the Nepal under-19s, will live with a local family to prepare for the upcoming season, where he will represent Clarke’s club Western Sydney.

He tweeted:

Thank you very much @MClarke23 for your kind words and for inviting me to Australia.Looking forward to give my best. pic.twitter.com/P1C3Mv7XBj

— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) September 6, 2016

The 16-year-old will reunite with his mentor when the team takes the field for its opening game on September 24.



Clarke retired from international cricket last year after establishing himself as one of Australia’s finest batsmen with 8,643 runs in 115 Tests.