I'm ready to go: Agar
It has been a wait of over four years for left-arm spinner Ashton Agar to make a comeback in the longest format of the game since making his Test debut back in 2013.
Despite an impressive start to his Test career, the 23-year-old lost his place in the Australian side after playing two Ashes Test in 2013, but an outstanding Sheffield Shield season last year put him back in contention.
Agar scalped 16 wickets in four matches and also impressed with his ability to bat lower down the order -- an ability he showcased with a sensational Test debut innings of 98 from number 10 -- which according to coach Darren Lehman adds flexibility to the side.
The Victorian cricketer is all set to make his Test return against the Tigers in the first Test starting from August 27 and added that he has learned a lot since playing his last Test four years ago.
“Obviously, it depends on what the wicket looks like, but I'm ready to go if I get the nod. I've been preparing really well and I've done everything I can now. I feel like everything is in really good order. It's really pleasing to be around the Test group. It's what you want to do and it's a great bunch of guys to be around. It's good fun.
“It's just four years of experience, four years of extra bowling, a lot of balls bowled in that time and naturally you just get better. The more you bowl, the better you get at bowling. And just learning the game of cricket over the last four years as well, playing a lot more. It's just a lot of time to learn about myself and how I play my best cricket,” Agar told reporters before the team's training session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
He also said that the visitors are focusing more on their strengths rather than targeting the opposition, but added that the team management analysed the Bangladeshi cricketers to make specific plans ahead of the series.
Meanwhile, the conditions are expected to help spinners but according to Agar, pacers like Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird will play a big role with reverse swing and also with the new ball.
“The wickets generally tend to play that way [spin-friendly] here. I think though that our fast bowlers Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird can all bowl really well if we get the ball reversing. They're going to play a really big role too so it's going to be a really big team effort but certainly spin will play a major role,” he said.