Australia A tour of England: Ashton Agar, Mitchell Marsh hoping to work way back into Aussie fold

They were both invited to join Australia’s World Cup squad for training last week but Ashton Agar and Mitchell Marsh would like to make it a more permanent arrangement.

Ashton Agar is out to work his way back into Aussie ODI consideration.

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Ashton Agar and Mitchell Marsh met for a coffee in Cottesloe to discuss their struggling international careers after Cricket Australia pulled their central contacts.

The West Australians were invited to join Australia’s World Cup squad for training last week and then starred in the Australia A win against Northamptonshire on Thursday.

“It’s a hard one really. I obviously recently lost my contract and place in the Australian one-day side, so I’m pretty keen to get back in there at some stage,” Agar said.

Ashton Agar is out to work his way back into Aussie ODI consideration.

“The best thing to do is not really worry about that. Whenever I’ve done well it’s when I’ve just concentrated on playing and right now that’s for Australia A.

“We (Agar and Marsh) were both frustrated with it, but we both recognised there’s no point living in the past.

“We can only do what we can do to get better now and stay hungry and be courageous and just give it a crack.”

Agar leaked 0-28 off his first three overs for Australia A but bounced back with 3-27 off his next seven overs (3-55 off 10) while Marsh bagged two wickets and hit an unbeaten 40 (45).

Agar has been working hard on getting “more energy on the ball and shape in the air” to help get the batter’s head out of position.

Mitchell Marsh got among the runs in the Australia A tour opener.

Mentor Wayne Andrews has been working hard with Agar, who recently bowled at blaster D’Arcy Short under Andrews’ watch.

Agar said his batting focus was on power hitting, understanding that clearing the rope was likely to be his ticket back into the national team given he is closest to selection with the white ball.