KATHMANDU: Michael Clarke, the former captain of Australia, in association with Hublot, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, has sponsored leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane,  dubbed as Nepali Shane Warne, to train and play in Australia.

The 16-year-old Nepali leg spinner will attend The Michael Clarke Cricket Academy and play the 2016-17 season with Michael's Premier Grade Cricket Club, Western Suburbs, the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club said in a statement today.

Lamichhane posted on Twitter the statement, expressing his gratitude towards Clarke for the opportunity.  In response, Clarke wrote - "Can't wait to see you buddy".

Lamichhane made debut in as a member of the senior national team in April this year.

"Sandeep is a fantastic young man who enjoys his cricket and is extremely passionate about the game," Clarke has been quoted in the statement as saying.

"It is really exciting opportunity to have a 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 26th."

In 2015, Lamichhane had caught the eyes of the then national cricket team coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who called him to Kathmandu for trial. And there was no looking back for the teenager.

Lamichhane was selected in the youth squad in his first attempt and he showcased his talent in the ICC U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

He stunned the cricketing world when he took a hat-trick on his way to completing the five-wicket haul against Ireland in the league round match. Lamichhane became the fifth player to take a hat-trick in the history of U-19 World Cup.

After meeting the talented teenager and sharing the dressing room with him in Hong Kong Blitz Twenty20 Tournament in May, Michael Clarke invited him to train at his academy in Australia.

In July, Lamichhane also played against the Marylebone Cricket Club in a friendly match as Nepal marked the maiden Lord’s appearance with a 41-run victory.

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 (@Sandeeplamichh6) September 6, 2016

Can't wait to see you buddy. https://t.co/0BiAQRmLnV

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) September 6, 2016

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