Chief selector John Inverarity has spoken glowingly of refugee wrist spinner Fawad Ahmed, of his desire to consider him for the Ashes, and how "it would be a "wonderful thing for Australian society" if he represented his adopted nation.

Inverarity said he had been impressed by Ahmed, who escaped persecution in Pakistan to rebuild his life and cricket career in Victoria, and that he would be a strong contender to tour England as the second spinner if he were eligible before the Ashes.

That's where O'Connor, a keen cricket fan in a federal government that could do worse than be seen to boost Australia's forlorn Ashes hopes, comes in.

Ahmed can only be considered if his citizenship and Australian passport are fast-tracked. Otherwise, under ICC rules, he does not become available until August 18, before the fifth Test at the Oval.

Cricket Australia is investigating precedents in Olympic sports and tennis to speed up the process.

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