Agar level-headed as call to Test looms

A RELAXED Ashton Agar is blocking out the noise surrounding his looming return to Australia’s Test side in Bangladesh.

The left-arm spinner is in the box seat to partner Nathan Lyon for Sunday’s first Test in Dhaka, more than four years after his famous debut in the 2013 Ashes series in England.

With Steve O’Keefe dumped for the two-Test series despite his heroics in India, Agar appears set to get the nod ahead of leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson.

Coach Darren Lehmann said he believed the 23-year-old Agar had the potential to take his game to the next level and become a genuine Test allrounder. That was news to Agar, who appeared unruffled despite the inevitable pressure to perform if he takes O’Keefe’s spot.

“I guess the pressure is what you put on yourself,” Agar said yesterday. “For me now, I have to not put too much pressure on myself and just try and enjoy the game. I have to eliminate all the distractions, all the talk.”

Agar and Swepson were part of Australia’s squad in India and had the chance to take notes.

“I think the last India series was good preparation,” Agar said. “I bowled a lot over there on pretty similar wickets, so I’ve got a good idea of how I’d like to bowl if my opportunity comes out here.”

With Lehmann indicating selectors have an eye on the next tour of India in 2021, Agar has a golden opportunity to lock down his spot after not playing for Australia in any format since March last year. And if he can repay the faith and justify their decision to dump O’Keefe, the West Australian will be well placed for a maiden home Ashes series in the summer.