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Agar pinpoints reason for T20 resurgence

Ashton Agar says the magic combination of the Big Bash and Ricky Ponting have filled the Australian T20 squad with confidence

Fierce competition in the KFC BBL is behind Australia's rapid rise up the international T20 ranks and potential capture of the No.1 spot, allrounder Ashton Agar says.

Australia were ranked seventh among T20 nations earlier this month but will become No.1 if they beat New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday in the trans-Tasman T20I tri-series final.

Big-hitting Glenn Maxwell and the BBL's leading run-scorer D'Arcy Short have been among the players to translate stand-out BBL form into match-winning performances during the recent T20I tri-series.

Both have scored more than 200 runs in four appearances in the international series.

Agar said a group of his teammates had been picked at the top of their form that had been developed in a "pretty fierce" competition.

Watch all 32 sixes from epic clash at Eden Park

"Playing against some of the world's best players and then coming over here with that momentum has made a big difference," he told RSN on Tuesday.

Another big key factor for the Australians has been the presence of Australia great Ricky Ponting, who has joined the tour as an assistant coach.

“He’s been unbelievable. It’s the first time I’ve worked with him and it’s just his presence… it’s Ricky Ponting!

“Every word he says, even the most experienced players are just hanging off every word he says.

“You just say, ‘keep talking mate’, it’s incredible.

“He was a childhood hero for me growing up and now to have him throwing balls to me and giving pump up speeches at the half-time break is pretty special and something we’re not taking for granted.”

Agar said Ponting’s mix of technical nous and mental strength had filled the team with confidence.

“He knows the game inside out. The tactical side he’s a genius with and the mental side he’s pretty tough, but he has a good laugh.

“I think he would have been a pretty special player to have as a captain because of the confidence he fills you with.”

Australia break world record to run down NZ

That confidence was a telling factor when Australia pulled off a world-record chase on Friday, reaching their target of 244 with five wickets and seven balls to spare.

“When we walked into the rooms after we’d just been hit for 240 we thought gee that’s a lot of runs,” Agar said.

“But we also thought, ‘you know what we can actually chase this down.’

“This batting line-up we’ve got at the moment has to be one of the best in the world. As an opposition bowler I’d be pretty intimidated by it.”

Trans-Tasman T20 Tri-Series

First T20I Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets. Scorecard

Second T20I Australia beat England by five wickets. Scorecard

Third T20I Australia beat England by seven wickets. Scorecard

Fourth T20I New Zealand beat England by 12 runs. Scorecard

Fifth T20I Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets. Scorecard

Sixth T20I England beat New Zealand by 2 runs. Scorecard

Final Australia v NZ, Eden Park, February 21. Scorecard

Australia squad: David Warner (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler.