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India vs Australia: All-rounder or bits and pieces player — Ashton Agar’s chance to prove his worth

Fighting for a place as the second spinner, apart from Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar has played only two Tests and ODIs since 2013.

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Ashton Agar © AFP
Ashton Agar scored 98 on his debut Test innings © AFP

He represented Victoria at both U-17 and U-19 levels. After shining in the National U-17 Championship, the young lad was selected in Australia U-19 squad to take on West Indies U-19. Playing solitary Test and ODI for the U-19 side, the left-arm orthodox spinner found his name in Australia’s squad for the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2012. Struggling for a place in the line-up, the promising bloke moved to Western Australia and soon made a Sheffield Shield debut in 2013. Following a decent outing, the Sri Lankan-origin player earned a call-up to represent Australia A  on tours of India, Ireland and England. Finally, the prestigious moment came for the then 19-year-old, Ashton Agar, when he earned his maiden Test cap during Ashes 2013-14 in England.

Such was the beginning of another upcoming cricketer from the land of Kangaroos  which unflinchingly produces quality players. Fighting for a place as the second spinner, apart from Nathan Lyon, Agar has played only two Tests and ODIs since 2013. However, many considered his debut as a hurried one. Debuting in the national side with only half a dozen First-Class appearances (including one against low-lying Scotland) cannot be termed as an ideal selection by Cricket Australia (CA).

Mindset of Australian selectors

Australian selectors do not shy away from taking tough calls. In the past, they have shown the door to legendary players like Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn. The nation’s most successful captain and established batsman, Ricky Ponting, was also indicated of being sidelined when his willow remained silent for a while. On the contrary, they also give ample chances to young blood. For instance, the selectors had picked up Michael Clarke as their next skipper from his early days. Current pace spearhead, Mitchell Starc, made his debut in whites in 2011 on the back of 16 First-Class matches coupled with fiery pace  as he looked promising to pack a punch. He shone in 2009-10 domestic season and was instantly rewarded with a call-up to the national side. This shows that they always keep a lid on experienced players and youngsters from domestic front.

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Nonetheless, in Agar’s case, the decision did not pay rich dividends. Though Agar climbed up the ladder in domestic circuit with limited outings and scored a magnificent 98 batting at No. 11 on debut; he failed to click in his primary job of taking wickets. In the end, the toll of minimal experience hurt the youngster’s chances.

How did Agar again fall in scheme of things?

With much hullabaloo surrounding the four-match Test series between India and Australia, Steven Smith-led squad included four spinners in the run-up to the series in subcontinent. Lyon is being accompanied by Mitchell Swepson, Steven O’Keefe and Agar  for tough Indian conditions. With Australia’s last win in India coming in 2004, the visitors are itching to give it back to Virat Kohli’s rampant side.

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Australia’s preparations for India tour started on the eve of third and final Test versus Pakistan in January 2017. With the series done and dusted, they wanted to experiment and prepare a spin-friendly track in the dead rubber. Nonetheless, picking spinners in abundance at SCG (venue for third Test) drew some flak. Former player, Michael Hussey, stated, “Interesting they’ve gone for two left-arm orthodox spinners (including Agar) to come into the squad. I don’t know what that means; I don’t know what to read into that.”  However, Agar’s inclusion stated that Australians want to carry a pool of tweakers to strengthen their chances in India. Agar was favoured for his action and style of bowling who can fancy his chances against India, a line-up marred with right-handers.

India, at present, boost of a batting order filled with right-handers and have a solitary left-hander in form of Ravindra Jadeja. Usually the drift and bounce posed by a left-arm orthodox bowler comes handy against right-handers. This is primarily the reason for Agar’s inclusion. After all, he was selected on same grounds in his debut series.

“The main reason for the selection is taking the ball away from all their right-handers and we think this is a really important weapon in particular for this Test match on that particular wicket”, stated coach Darren Lehmann in 2013 ahead of Agar’s inclusion.

To his dismay, he could not turn the heat in 2013 but will be eager to perform in an intense series with more exposure in domestic circuit.  CA shared the 23-year-old’s thoughts and preparations ahead of the four-match series.

“I have an understanding of what makes me the cricketer I am. I have played a lot more games that I had when I played those two Tests. I feel I am much better prepared now, just as a person also much more calm”, stated Agar during the side’s recent preparatory camp in Dubai.

Even Australia have done their homework and Agar’s re-entry into the side is not a decision without dwelling much. “We wanted a left-armer to go away from all their right-handers as well to give us options. He also got 10 wickets in a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney. He’s improved, we get feedback from (WA coach) Justin Langer and the guys have been watching him, they’ve been impressed with him. If you play two spinners you normally need an all-rounder, so that’s what we’re looking at”, Hindustan Times quoted Lehmann as saying.

Will he make the cut?

There are still plenty of speculations regarding Agar’s selection in the Playing XI. Visitors are well equipped with Lyon spearheading the spin  contingent. He is most likely to be accompanied by another left-arm orthodox in form of O’Keefe,  who played in Australia’s last tour to the subcontinent (in Sri Lanka). Injury ruled him out soon but the visiting camp have shown enough faith on New South Wales skipper in recent times. Agar, despite being in Indian conditions in 2013, may have to sit out. Even his heroics with the bat on Test debut may not come in handy. He recorded the highest 10th wicket partnership (163-run stand) with the late Phillips Hughes at Trent Bridge, Nottingham thereby stating his batting skills.

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However, it may not be a surprise if Agar still gets a look-in. After all, he can provide depth to the batting line-up by coming in at No. 7 and bowl with good pace at the stumps. Relying on bounce, drift coupled with a good trajectory, he can induce some setbacks in Indian camp. I cannot refrain from saying, “Agar Agar khela, woh Australia ka hukkam ka ekka ban sakta hai! (If Agar plays, he may turn out to be visitors’ trump card).

Message to Australia

India’s long home season has been pleasing to watch. It has been a treat to the eyes not only because of hosts’ dominance but due to the fact that they have refrained from preparing rank-turners. They have played with the opponents’ minds by churning out sporting wickets which turn (not viciously) from Day Three to keep the foreign batsmen at bay. Australia should be wary of these tactics and choose their Playing XI judiciously in the series opener at Pune. To add to it, they should also not jeopardise another series for Agar. He looked unaware of his role in his debut series. Now he is not only limited as a spinner but regarded as an able all-rounder. If things become clear, the youngster may be able to fire  on all cylinders.

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