Test cricket is the biggest goal: Faiz Fazal

If Faiz Fazal is looking for inspiration, his eyes don't have to stray far. Aged in his 30s, the left-handed Vidarbha opener has been a rarity of being a veteran player in the 'A' series in Brisbane over the last couple of weeks. The two four-day matches between Australia A and India A are essentially setup as timely opportunities to expose precocious youngsters to a simulation of Test cricket.

But, occasionally, mature and seasoned players are selected in a sure sign they are being carefully critiqued by intrigued national selectors. Fazal, a 31-year-old with a first class resume spanning almost 13 years, is one of those select hardened players.

After making his international debut just three months ago in a One-Day International against Zimbabwe, Fazal became the first Indian player in 16 years to make his ODI debut in his thirties and handled the initiation with aplomb scoring, an unbeaten 55 to guide his team to a convincing victory.

Unlike other countries like England and Australia, India tend to red stamp players at a certain age, preferring for them to make a mark at an earlier age.

Thus, Fazal is at a delicate juncture in his career but, undoubtedly, at the Allan Border Field he would have seen - and perhaps gleamed inspiration from - Mike Hussey energetically pacing around as Australia A batting coach. Of course, the West Australian didn't make his Test debut until the ripe age of 30 but still carved out a lengthy career spanning 79 Tests and more than 6000 runs. Hussey also became one of Australia's best shorter format players after being stereotyped earlier in his career as a stodgy opener.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Fazal says he is well aware of being amid a batsman's supposed sweet spot fuelling his desires of higher honours. "They say batsmen hit their peak after 28, so I am really looking to keep improving," he says. "Absolutely, Test cricket is the biggest goal and I'm working hard for it."

Like most of his fellow top-order batsmen, Fazal has endured a disappointing A series, scoring just 83 runs in four innings with a top score of 48. Those underwhelming figures perhaps are somewhat skewed by ball thoroughly dominating bat throughout, with play often marked by continual cloudy conditions.

Opening batsmen, a tough gig at the best of times, have been particularly challenged by the pink ball used in this series, which swings notably in the opening stages. It has been a baptism of fire for the Indian batsmen facing a rotating line of talented Australia A pacemen in foreign conditions.

Even though Fazal wasn't able to kick on - he would have rued a comical run-out in his last innings of the series ending a hard-fought 88-ball 29 - he nonetheless impressed by grinding through the new ball twice in four innings.

Undoubtedly catching the eyes of the national selectors, he combined in a resolute 84-run opening partnership with Akhil Herwadkar late on day three in the second-match when India A was under enormous pressure, trailing by 266 runs. Doggedness and an unflinching temperament harked images of Hussey and probably garnered a nod of approval from his coach Rahul Dravid, another famed tenacious batsman.

Despite the hardships and without any meaningful contributions to show, Fazal has been grateful for the opportunity. "I have enjoyed it a lot because it is different conditions to India," he says. "To learn in different conditions and how to play on them is important because in the future we will be used to it if we tour again."

Unlike some of his younger teammates who have been brought up on a diet of shorter format cricket, Fazal is a classical opener preferring timing and placement instead of blasting to blunt the attack.

He is an accumulator of runs but, tallish in height, looks comfortable on the back foot - a requisite for surviving in Australian conditions - and is equipped with a decent pull shot, another important tool to possess on bouncier pitches.

Fazal believes the length of bowling in Australian conditions is a notable difference to what he is accustomed to. "The length is shorter, which they (Australia A quicks) bowl really well," he says. "The pink ball you can sight really well, so I have been enjoying playing against it. The one thing that really troubles you is the bounce and that is the thing I've needed to tackle.

"Handling these conditions relates both mentally and technically. If you're mentally prepared and free it helps," he adds. After finally experiencing the cauldron of international cricket, Fazal craves another opportunity in the big time. "It was great fun (ODI debut), I worked really hard and it took a long time but I enjoyed it," he says.

Despite his dreams looking forlorn for such a long time, Fazal says he never stopped believing because of his passion for the game. "I always wanted to play international cricket because I was always dreaming about playing for India," he says. "The dream was always there and I love the game so much. The game itself is a big motivation for me."

His passionate words sound much like Hussey, who often talked about an innate love for the game fuelling his career. Time will tell if Fazal can replicate the West Australian's highly successful late career rise but, you feel, he'll give himself every opportunity to realise his dreams.