Michael Clarke 'super excited' to sponsor Nepal cricketer to play in Australia

Published - 06 Sept 2016, 18:28 IST | Updated - 06 Sept 2016, 18:28 IST

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Michael Clarke with nepal's teenage leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke in association with Hublot has sponsored Sandeep Lamichhane, a 16-year-old Nepalese leg-spinner to get trained at the Michael Clarke academy and also to feature in the 2016-17 season with Clarke’s Premier Grade Cricket Club, Western Suburbs.

“Sandeep is a fantastic young man who enjoys his cricket and is extremely passionate about the game. 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. I am looking forward to working with him and all the boys and girls that will attend the 5-day live in camp starting September 26,” Clarke said in a letter from Western Suburbs District Club Club (WSDCC), which was posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

Clarke affirms that the Sandeep will be an asset to his academy. “Sandeep will fit in well at my club. Wests have always gone out of their way to look after the younger players, and he will be a great asset to the club this summer,” Clarke added.

The young cricketer took to social platform Twitter to thank the World Cup winning Aussie skipper for his kind words. He wrote, “Thank you very much @MClarke23 for your kind words and for inviting me to Australia. Looking forward to giving my best.”

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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 (@SandeepL25) September 6, 2016

Clarke replied saying, “Can’t wait to see you, buddy.”

Can't wait to see you buddy. https://t.co/0BiAQRmLnV
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) September 6, 2016

“When Michael (Clarke) was in Hong Kong in late May coaching and mentoring the Hong Kong and China men’s and women’s teams and playing in their inaugural 20/20 competition he recognised Sandeep’s outstanding potential,” WSDCC said.

Happy Time With Legend ??
Thanks @MClarke23 pic.twitter.com/B5TePsX258
— Sandeep Lamichhane (@SandeepL25) May 27, 2016

Sandeep who idolizes Australian legend Shane Warne played for Nepal in the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh. Against Ireland, he claimed 5 wickets, which included a hat-trick. Apart from that, he has so far featured in 4 List-A games, where he picked up 4 wickets.