Agar's opening act first step in bold plan to take centre stage

Fresh from opening the batting for Australia's T20 side, Ashton Agar wants to take his fearlessness into Test cricket and has drawn inspiration from the British hip-hop scene in his bid to pull on the Baggy Green again.

The Aussies shocked many by sending out Agar to take on the new ball in Tuesday night's third T20I victory over Sri Lanka in Canberra but the allrounder revealed the left-field move had been flagged with him at the beginning of the series.

The ploy was more successful for how demoted opener Aaron Finch steered the middle-order through their run-chase, yet Agar's eagerness to take on the new role underscored the bold approach he has vowed to play with.

Image Id: E41760A121D649F7BA97CA3D1A6DB2D8 Image Caption: Agar hit a run-a-ball 13 as opener in Canberra // Getty

"With the bat, we probably haven't seen the best of him yet in international cricket," Glenn Maxwell told cricket.com.au after the Aussies set the series ledger at 3-0 ahead of the final two T20s in Melbourne.

The same might be said about Agar's long-form bowling.

The last of his four Tests came in Bangladesh back in 2017 but he is squarely back in the frame to add to that tally on the subcontinent in the coming months after earning selection for next month's three-Test tour of Pakistan.

The left-arm spinner has declared that he is currently bowling as well as ever.

Agar and Mitchell Swepson are the candidates to partner Nathan Lyon when the Aussies inevitably pick two specialist spinners at some stage during upcoming campaigns in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.

Admitting nerves had affected him when he last played Test cricket, Agar has vowed to conquer self-doubt by refocusing on his enjoyment of the game and embracing the performative element of cricket.

A pivotal moment came at a Perth concert for south London rapper Loyle Carner.

"He was owning the stage and it was beautiful. I thought, 'This is so cool, he just has such great presence,' and we're all there to watch him," Agar told reporters.

"I was thinking to myself 'Oh god, I'd love to do that'. But at that moment I kind of realised I actually have the chance to do this all the time – every time I get to play cricket.

"So I guess approaching games like that. It's easier said than done, (but) it's something you need to practice – being brave and just going for it, and being open to what might happen.

"If I were to take the conservative route and just try to survive in this game I think it would be a bit of a miserable existence. It's much nicer to try and thrive than survive."

Swepson's dominant Sheffield Shield campaign last summer has seen him earn strong endorsement from Lyon to make his Test debut when conditions necessitate a back-up spinner.

While Agar's case has actually been hindered by his short-form prowess, limiting him to just 15 first-class games in the four-and-a-half years since his last Test, the success of finger-spinners over wrist-spinners on turning pitches in Asia could play in his favour.

The rapid development of allrounder Cameron Green's bowling could even allow Australia to field three spinners if conditions dictate.

Australia are expecting more seam and batter friendly surfaces for their tour of Pakistan but Agar will be ready either way.

"Certainly I'm going over there with the mindset I'm a chance to play in the first Test if the wicket presents the opportunity to play three spinners," said the 28-year-old.

"That's getting a little rarer over there because they've got a lot of good fast bowlers so there's a good chance the wickets might not be so spin-friendly and suit the quicks more.

"The inner feeling within me is I'm ready for it if that comes.

"I think it'll be a lot more fun than any other Test I've played before because I just feel like I'm bowling as well as I have at the moment."

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: Only T20I, Rawalpindi

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports