Cricket World Cup: Ashton Agar officially ruled out of Australian campaign

With Adam Zampa playing through soreness and illness at the World Cup, Australia’s back-up plan took a hit when Ashton Agar was ruled out. Where would the Aussies turn next?

Ashton Agar’s outside hopes of being a late inclusion during the World Cup have been extinguished with the left-arm spinner suffering another calf injury.

Initially named in the 15-man squad, the West Australian had been ruled out of the tournament following a left calf strain suffered during the tour of South Africa last month.

Australian selection chair George Bailey had left the door ajar for Agar to be brought in as a replacement should another player become injured during the event.

However Agar has since suffered a recurrence of the same injury.

Ashton Agar has been ruled out of the World Cup. Picture: Ishara Kodikara

“We wanted as much information as we could on Ash and the rest of the squad, just weighing up the risk, clearly we’ve prioritised retaining Travis with his injury and hoping that he comes online, unfortunately for Ash we couldn’t see a way through where we could carry two players with injuries so he was the unfortunate one to miss out,” Bailey said when explaining last month why Travis Head had been chosen in the 15 despite his injury when Agar had been omitted.

“Hopefully he can put together a really good rehab now, over a number of weeks. If there is an opportunity through unfortunately someone else getting injured later in the piece, there’s a chance he could re-emerge there.”

Tanveer Sangha would be Adam Zampa’s likely replacement if disaster struck. Picture: Phill Magakoe.

With Agar ruled out, Australia would almost certainly turn to young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha should Adam Zampa suffer a tournament-ending injury.

Sangha remains in India training with the Aussies, albeit not in the official 15-man squad.

Agar’s setback continues a disappointing year for the tweaker, who flew home midway through the Test tour of India after being leapfrogged by Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy.

Zampa has battled hrough back spasms, soreness and illness to star across Australia’s three straight wins in India.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Ashton Agar officially ruled out of Australian campaign