The Ashes: Shane Warne told Rehan Ahmed he was destined for Test cricket

Footage of late Australian great Shane Warne praising a 13-year-old Rehan Ahmed has been highlighted again, following confirmation the leg spinner’s inclusion in Ben Stokes’s Ashes squad.

The England captain confirmed the selection of Ahmed ahead of the second Ashes Test, with first-choice spinner Moeen Ali struggling with a finger issue following his return to the five-day format.

Ahmed, 18, made an exciting debut for England in the winter when he took a five-wicket haul and seven wickets in total in the final Test against Pakistan in Karachi. 

Ahmed’s appearance in the subcontinent made him the youngest player to play Test cricket for England, being 23 days younger than Brian Close was when he was first chosen, against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1949.

The leg-spinner earned high praise in a heartwarming video when aged just 13, after impressing Warne when bowling in the nets. 

‘That’s awesome man, really, really good,’ said Warne, who took 708 Test wickets during his legendary career.

‘I will be keeping a close eye on you, I think we will be commentating on you very soon.

‘I think you will be playing first class cricket by the age of 15.’

The late Australian legend’s praise for Ahmed appears to have been justified with confirmation of his selection for England yet again, and now Ahmed will hope to have an impact against Warne’s beloved Australia at the Home of Cricket.

Warne died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 52 in March, while he was holidaying in Thailand.

Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne saw huge talent in Rehan Ahmed

Warne told Ahmed he was destined for big things after seeing him bowl aged just 13

Ahmed had been part of the England team which reached the final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup earlier in 2022.

England remain hopeful Moeen will have recovered from the blister and cut on the index finger of his right hand that reduced his impact on his return to red-ball cricket.

And even if he is not fit in time for Wednesday’s second Test there is a strong chance England will bring in Mark Wood for him and go for a four seamer attack with Joe Root providing more of the spin he produced at Edgbaston.

But England would have no hesitation in throwing Ahmed in for his second Test having been impressed by his maturity, ability and confidence in his first senior appearance.

Surrey’s Will Jacks was the favourite to come in, not least because he also bowls off-breaks which are crucial against Australia’s array of left-handers.

But the googly is one of leg-spinner Ahmed’s most potent weapons and that would also be a more than useful weapon against this Australian side.