Sub-District cricket: Caulfield’s Josh Agar wins Anthony Gale Medal

Young Caulfield batsman Josh Agar will go on to Premier Cricket after winning the VSDCA award as best Under 21 player.

Josh Agar batting in the south-east section grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It might have been a surprise to a few people when Callum Nankervis won the Val Holten Medal at the VSDCA presentation dinner at the MCG.

It was no great shock, however, when Josh Agar took the Anthony Gale Medal as the best Under 21 player.

Among the list of 12 nominees, Agar stood out like roses in a rubbish tip.

The 18-year-old opened the batting for Caulfield, played in its premiership team and finished the season with 425 runs at 27.7, with a highest score of 75.

Agar had been a prominent player for the Fields in the Under 15 John Craig Shield in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

He joined its senior teams in 2018-19, scored a century in the Second XI against Brighton, and made his First XI debut later in the season.

Josh Agar with award host Peter Lazer.

Wanting to challenge his technique against the new ball and his ability to keep the score ticking, Caulfield opened him last season, and 10 times he scored 20 or more.

Agar said it was an “absolute pleasure’’ to win the award, named after the legendary Sub-District batsman.

He said it had been an “amazing experience’’ to play at Caulfield and “learning from some of the best’’.

Agar played junior and senior cricket at McKinnon and is a cousin of Ash and Wes Agar.

“They’re always supportive of my cricket. They give me some advice and tips whenever I see them,’’ he said.

The Deakin University exercise science student said he would try his luck at Premier Cricket next season but he hadn’t decided on a club.

St Kilda and Dandenong have approached him.

Caulfield coach Adrian Jones said Agar was an excellent winner of the award.

“The improvement I’ve seen in him in the last two years has been pretty significant,’’ he said.

“It all boils down to his passion and his willingness to work on his game.

“He listens to what people suggest and he has a go at it.

“He’s never intimidated. He gets out there and puts a value on his wicket, but he’s also looking to score. He’s got the best of both worlds.’’

Josh Agar batting against Noble Park last season.

Jones said the club was pleased Agar would be pursuing Premier Cricket.

Caulfield captain Jacob Thorne said he imagined it would have been an easy decision for VSDCA officials to select Agar as the winner of the medal.

He said everything pointed to the right-hander having a good future in the game.

“He’s a proper, pure batsman,’’ he said.

“He’s got most bases covered … as an opener against the moving ball and then he improved against the spinners with his footwork. I think he’s going to be a serious player.’’