Coach Jason Gillespie says pace revelation Wes Agar can play a frontline role for Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie always had faith in fast bowler Wes Agar and Dizzy expects big things this BBL season.
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Speedster Wes Agar is set to storm into Adelaide Strikers season opening clash against Sydney Thunder following a rousing endorsement from coach Jason Gillespie.
Agar, 22, is a very different beast to the project player who Gillespie and bowling coach Joe Dawes watched labour for two wickets at 77 over five BBL starts.
Agar has two five-wicket one-day hauls and 23 wickets at 21 in a stunning debut first class season for South Australia.
“We rate him, Joey Dawes and I have been big supporters of him,” said Gillespie of Agar who returned to Adelaide for 2019-20 after a season in Victoria’s first-class set-up.
“He did have a bit of homesickness when he was at the Redbacks but I just wanted him for the Strikers as he is a good bowler. He’s back with the Redbacks and we have locked him away with the Strikers.”
Agar skittled Tasmania’s George Bailey first ball in the former Test batsman’s last Sheffield Shield innings against the Redbacks in Hobart on the way to career-best figures of 5/53. Man-of-the-match Agar ensured South Australia ended an 18-match winless streak with interim coach Greg Blewett at the helm in Hobart.
Agar could slot alongside Australian limited overs tearaway Billy Stanlake, Michael Neser, Test stalwart Peter Siddle and Twenty20’s No.1 leg-spinner Rashid Khan in Adelaide’s December 21 clash against Sydney Thunder in Canberra.
“I have spoken to Blewey and Tim Nielsen and he has been the best seamer for South Australia this season. He will be pushing hard in our best XI for the Strikers,” Gillespie told The Advertiser.
Gillespie blooded a raw but quick Agar against a Melbourne Stars line-up featuring Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, David Hussey, Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis in 2017 at the MCG. The investment is paying off.
Agar is filling out a 195cm frame armed with stamina to maintain pace.
“He has always had that capacity to bowl 140km/h. I just wonder if he is hitting those speeds regularly as opposed to the odd delivery. That might be a bit of tidying up and smoothing his action and getting a bit fitter and stronger naturally,” said 71-Test paceman Gillespie.
“He is getting bigger and stronger as he develops so it is a combination of things.”
It’s not just ability that saw the brother of former Test allrounder Ashton Agar secure a Strikers deal with Gillespie wanting good characters around the group.
“He has got a good attitude which impresses us all. He is a great kid, a ripper. It is not a surprise for us to see him do well,” said Gillespie.