After the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Delhi last month, the Australian selectors decided to release left-arm spinner Ashton Agar from the squad to play domestic cricket back home.
Despite being named in the original touring party, Agar was overlooked for the first two Tests against India as he fell behind off-spinner Todd Murphy and fellow left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann in the pecking order.
Although he was treated unfairly, Ashton Agar has no “ill feeling” as he understands it’s a “ruthless” environment in top-level cricket.
His comments came after claiming five wickets for Western Australia in the Marsh Cup final against South Australia on Wednesday (March 8).
“I felt I wasn’t bowling as well as I needed to be. It’s a very clear direction for me now to just work on it and improve,” Agar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“I harbour no ill will or ill feeling at all. I’m very well supported in that (Australian) camp and they’ve kept in constant communication with me, so it’s all in a good place.
“I’ve been a professional cricketer for ten years now, so I’m far more resilient than when I started. It’s a tough game, it’s a ruthless environment, and that’s how it should be because it’s the pinnacle of the sport.”
Ashton Agar has represented Australia in five Tests, picking up nine wickets. The 29-year-old also went wicketless against South Africa in the Sydney Test in January this year.
While the stars are not impressive, Agar hasn’t given up on red-ball cricket yet.
“I’ve always wanted to play as much as I could for Australia in whatever format that is and just take my opportunities when they come,” he said.
“Playing for Australia in all forms, of course, I still want to do that. But my focus is just on cricket, you just play what’s in front of you and you try and do as well as you can.”
Meanwhile, Ashton Agar has been included in Australia’s 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India, beginning March 17 in Mumbai. He would be hoping that the 50-over series help him seal his place for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India.
“(Adam Zampa) Zamps is entrenched as the white-ball spinner. It all depends what we’re doing – playing two spinners or just the one,” Agar said.
“If I do play, I usually bat at eight and try to get my ten overs out. I’m certainly looking forward to the World Cup.”
(With PTI Inputs)
