Fawad Ahmed’s dry sense of humour has made an instant impression on teammates, and now the leg-spinner is hoping the odd dry pitch in England can help turn him into Australia’s x-factor in the Ashes.

The Pakistan-born asylum-seeker can’t be given a passport until a legislation change is passed, but it’s expected Ahmed’s citizenship will be fast-tracked in time for him to be a late addition to Australia’s Ashes squad in July.

Ahmed is set to join Australia A this weekend in the UK, where he could be two good performances away from a historic Test call-up – with Nathan Lyon currently the only spinner in Australia’s 16-man squad.

Australia’s greatest leg-spinner Shane Warne says Ahmed has the ability to turn a Test if given an opportunity.

“He’s got that surprise element and he doesn’t get flustered about anything. I think he could be very good for Australia,” Warne told BBC Radio.

“The whole story of his is a very courageous one.”

The 31-year-old has been described by those in the Australian camp as quietly spoken, but not necessarily quiet.

He possesses a dry sense of humour and an insatiable thirst for cricket.

“He eats cricket ball sandwiches,” said Australia A coach, Troy Cooley of Ahmed’s love for the game.

Cooley, who has worked extensively with Ahmed at Brisbane’s Centre of Excellence in recent months, said the tweaker won’t have any trouble handling his meteoric rise should he be handed a baggy green cap.

It seems Ahmed’s resilience in life has helped breed an unflappable cricketing temperament.

“One of his greatest assets is he’s a well balanced man and he knows his game really well,” Cooley told AAP.

“We’re just backing him to come out and do that. I don’t think he’ll be distracted at all.

“I’ve worked with him for a number of weeks before we came over here and got to know him pretty well.

“He’s very focused and he has great skill.

“He’s a cricket tragic and I think he will be just wrapped up in the whole idea of coming over and doing his best.”

Victorian teammate and Australian one-day bowler Clint McKay agrees that nothing much fazes Ahmed.

McKay said Ahmed’s personality and life story makes him an inspirational team man for the Australian set-up to embrace.

“He’s quite a funny man to be honest. He fitted in well in Victoria,” said McKay.

“He’s very respectful. Not only to the players but the opportunities people have given him since he’s moved out to Australia. He’s going to be fantastic for the group.”