Ashton Agar called into Australian squad for SCG Ashes Test

NEARLY five years have passed since Ashton Agar’s magic Ashes moment, but next week the recalled Australian spinner has a golden chance to prove he can master his chosen art.

CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH — SEPTEMBER 04: Ashton Agar of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh during day one of the Second Test match between Bangladesh and Australia at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on September 4, 2017 in Chittagong, Bangladesh. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

NEARLY five years have passed since Ashton Agar’s magic Ashes moment, but next week the recalled Australian spinner has a golden chance to prove he can master his chosen art.

Test greats Shane Warne and Kerry O’Keeffe are big fans who believe Agar’s all-round game deserves backing from selectors.

However, at some point Agar must deliver with the ball if he wants to cement himself as a Test regular capable of potentially spearheading future tours of the sub-continent.

Ashton Agar of Australia celebrates after taking a wicket during the Test match between Bangladesh and Australia in September 4.

Agar has been added to the Australian squad for the Ashes finale at the SCG, and is well in the frame to play his first ever Test on home soil, particularly if the deck looks as though it will offer turn and Mitchell Starc can’t convince selectors he should be rushed back for his home Test.

Starc began his bid for an instant recall yesterday at the MCG as he practiced charging through his run-up, but the acid test will come on Tuesday when he vies to bowl in Australia’s main training session.

Agar first announced himself to England in one of the most famous Ashes moments of the last decade when he came from nowhere to debut at Trent Bridge in 2013 and ended up making a stunning 98 batting at No.11.

The natural quality of his batting and his brilliant athleticism in the field pushes him ahead of other candidates, but the bottom line is, Agar is in the team to bowl.

For this reason he’s been forced to wait until the tour of Bangladesh in August to get his second crack at Test cricket, and looked steady as Nathan Lyon’s deputy, without being brilliant.

Agar averages nearly 39 runs for every wicket he has taken in first-class cricket, and O’Keeffe says he must master his accuracy if he’s to succeed at Test level.

Holland was the deserved candidate after 50 wickets at 21 last year and 11 (at ave. of 18) in 2 matches this year. Swepson the bold one after 16 wickets (at 36) this year. Not sure how Agar gets a run.

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) December 29, 2017

Ousting Queensland leggie Mitchell Swepson and SCG incumbent Steve O’Keefe from contention, selectors remain as adamant now as they were when Agar burst onto the scene in the Ashes, that he is a boy worth investing in.

“He’s been a work in progress for some time. I’m a fan,” said O’Keeffe on Fox Sports News.

“One thing he lacks as a left-arm orthodox spinner, is precision. He doesn’t put five or five out of six in the shoebox, but he’s 24 years of age and spinners normally mature around 29-30.

“There’s plenty of time for Ashton Agar.

“The moment he starts to improve those numbers (accuracy) and forces the forward defence press shot, he can work his way around batsmen on turning pitches. He’s not quite there yet but he’s the best option available.”

Warne told News Corp that Agar was a “package” player, and a better investment than O’Keefe and Victorian Jon Holland.

Agar celebrates after taking the wicket of Indian captain Virat Kohli during the third one-day international in September. Pic: Getty

Swepson is unlucky, as he – like Agar – has been on Australia’s past two tours of India and Bangladesh and has started this Sheffield Shield season with 16 wickets for Queensland.

But Agar’s selection follows a clear pattern from Trevor Hohns’ panel, who have identified the left-arm West Australian as a key man in their plans for the tour of India in 2021.

If Starc proves his fitness and selectors are convinced he won’t risk further damage by playing in Sydney, he would return automatically.

However, that’s a big if, particularly with an all-important Test tour of South Africa on the horizon.

Jackson Bird hasn’t impressed on a flat pitch in Melbourne, and selectors may be keen to get another look at him on a decent surface given they’ll need a reliable back-up option for South Africa.

His BBL form has been strong. Pic: Getty Images

But Agar will never be a better chance to play at home, particularly given Australia has gone with two spinners the last two Sydney Tests.

Agar took seven wickets across two Test matches in Bangladesh back in August, where he complemented Nathan Lyon in the attack.

It’s an ironic pairing given it was Lyon who was controversially dropped to make way for Agar back in 2013 in England.

Agar took four wickets for Western Australia in his one and only Shield game this summer and has been in strong form in the BBL.

Originally published as Ashton Agar called into Australian squad for SCG Ashes Test