London, Aug. 29: Australia’s tour of England enters its closing stages with the first of two Twenty20 matches at Old Trafford on Sunday. And while many in the Australia side lick their wounds after a 2-1 Ashes series loss, for one player the Twenty20 games offer the chance to complete a notable double.

In June, Dirk Nannes was a member of the Netherlands side that dramatically defeated England in the opening match of the World Twenty20 at Lord’s. But the Victoria left-arm quick, qualified for the Netherlands through his parents, made his Australia one-day international debut on Friday in the side that beat Scotland by 189 runs in Edinburgh.

Nannes, who took 1/20 in his seven overs against Scotland and who also runs a ski-travel company, only made his first-class debut at the relatively late age of 29 during the 2005/06 season.

The Melbourne-born quick enjoyed state success in both first-class and Twenty20 cricket, taking four for 23 as the Bushrangers won the 2008 Australian domestic Twenty20 final against Western Australia. But Australia’s selectors had still to be convinced.

Australia are set to be led in the first half of their limited overs campaign by Michael Clarke, with regular captain Ricky Ponting having a brief break after the Ashes. England too will have a different captain in Paul Collingwood, Test skipper Andrew Strauss having opted out of Twenty20 cricket. — AFP