Agar embraces Lyon in World Cup precursor

The battle to be Australia's first-choice 50-over spinner will be a key subplot in next month's one-day international series against England. 

Nathan Lyon was a surprise selection in this winter's touring party for the one-day team, joining Ashton Agar as the specialist spin bowlers in the squad, with the prize of a World Cup berth up for grabs. 

Lyon admitted his selection surprised even him given earlier feedback he'd received from selectors, suggesting new coach (and selector) Justin Langer played a key role in the pick. 

One of the first names on Australia's Test team sheet, Lyon hasn't played an ODI since August 2016 in Sri Lanka, where he took 1-49 in nine overs in his one appearance. 

Lyon has played 13 ODIs compared to Agar's four, but the younger man appeared earmarked for white-ball duties when included on CA's white-ball focused central contract list in April. 

The 24-year-old Western Australian, however, is unfazed by Lyon's inclusion and sees it as an opportunity for them both to improve. 

"I actually like having two spinners there because you can bounce off each other, you can work together and you know someone always understands what you are doing," Agar told Fairfax. 

"We have quite a good understanding of how each other goes about their business. 

"If anything, it’s a positive having another spinner there."

Australia's five-match ODI series against England will mark not only the maiden outings for Langer and interim one-day captain Tim Paine, but will also be an important cog in planning for next winter's World Cup on UK soil. 

Australia will play ODIs at The Oval, Cardiff, Trent Bridge, Durham and Old Trafford. Adding the one-off T20 at Edgbaston, and a 50-over warm-up match at Lord's, the Aussies will play at seven of the 11 World Cup venues this winter, including where the finals will be played.

The Aussies head to Zimbabwe for a T20 tri-series also featuring Pakistan after the England matches, before a what's tipped to be a strong Australia A squad heads to India for white and red-ball matches that will shape the summer to come, starting with Tests against Pakistan in the UAE.

Agar was an unused squad member on Australia's Test tour of India in 2017, but got his chance in Bangladesh later that year, taking seven wickets in the drawn two-Test series. Reprising the role as Lyon's understudy in Tests remains a goal.

"I said that to myself before the Bangladesh Test tour – I realise that was a really big opportunity for me," said Agar. "I had been given a CA contract. I knew that was an important point in my career. I just had that feeling. 

"People always tell you that you are young and that sort of stuff, but I guess I have been around for a little while now in domestic cricket and I have been fortunate enough to play a few games for Australia. The time really is now.

"There is no point thinking about age or anything like that. From when I was 19, when I played my first Test, to 24, that’s gone really quickly. But the good thing is, there has been a lot of cricket between then, a lot of experience."

Agar, originally from Melbourne, made his Western Australia debut in Langer's first season as the state's head coach, and says the former Test opener's "extremely calm" and caring nature made him ideal to lead Australia into a new era. 

"It's a perfect time for him to step into this role after a bit of trouble. He cares about you first as a person and then as a cricketer," Agar said. 

"You know he has got your back all the time, no matter who you are, if you are in his team. 

"He has so much to give (and) I have got so much more to learn from him even though I have had him as a coach for the past five years. 

"Even he would say he has grown as a person and learnt so much over his time coaching at the WACA. (The players) have been lucky enough to witness him evolve as a person and as a coach. 

"He is extremely calm now. Even though over past years he had been built up to this scary, intense sort of bloke, he is extremely calm. He is very understanding. He knows what to do and when to do it."

Qantas tours of England and Zimbabwe

ODI squad: Tim Paine (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Qantas Tour of England

June 7: Warm-up v Sussex, Hove (D/N)

June 9: Warm-up v Middlesex, Lord's

June 13: First ODI, The Oval (D/N)

June 16: Second ODI, Cardiff

June 19: Third ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

June 21: Fourth ODI, Durham (D/N)

June 24: Fifth ODI, Old Trafford

June 27: Only T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

Qantas T20I tri-series Tour of Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Thursday, July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

Friday, July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, July 8: Final