Quantcast

Agar presents all-round package: Holland

Left-arm spinner disappointed to be left out of Australia squad once again as fifth Test in Sydney looms

Spinner Jon Holland has suggested Australia might look to employ Ashton Agar's services as an allrounder for the fifth Magellan Ashes Test as the Victorian comes to terms with being overlooked by selectors once again.

Agar was called up to Australia's 14-man squad on Friday, and with the SCG pitch expected to take turn, could be in line to make his home debut, having played four Tests abroad since debuting in 2013.

It is unclear what team balance the Australians will go for, with the fact that Mitchell Starc continues to recover from a foot injury also complicating matters.

Should Agar play, it would likely be in the place of paceman Jackson Bird – with Starc remaining on the sidelines – or at the expense of fellow WA allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who smashed a maiden hundred in the third Test at the WACA a fortnight ago but has struggled to make inroads with his bowling against the English.

"Maybe they are looking to play him as an allrounder, instead of Mitch Marsh," Holland told Fairfax with regards to Agar's selection.

"If it was purely from bowling, nothing against Ash, he's young and his bowling's improving, but I think my numbers stack up pretty well against his, especially in the last two seasons."

Holland has in fact taken 61 wickets in 13 Sheffield Shield matches in that period – comfortably more wickets than any other spinner in that period, including Agar, who has taken 20 in five.

I'd love to play in front of my home crowd: Agar

The 24-year-old Warrior does of course bring an all-round package to the table, with his promising batting (he made an impressive 41no in Bangladesh and has two first-class hundreds to his name) and superb athleticism and catching in the field.

"If it was purely as the next spin bowler, then it'd be disappointing to be overlooked, but that's cricket," Holland added. "The selectors obviously think he's got more to offer than I do, and that's the way it goes."

Ahead of last August's Test tour of Bangladesh, Agar's selection and the omissions of Holland and Steve O'Keefe (who was later flown over for the second Test) raised eyebrows, with captain Steve Smith – who is not a selector – interpreting the call as a nod to the future.

"Ashton has been around the group for a quite a while now, he's worked on his art and he's becoming a lot more consistent in what he's doing," Smith explained. "It'd be fantastic to see him get an opportunity.

"It's four years until we next go to India which is always a tough tour for us and one that I particularly as captain want to win (at some stage) throughout my tenure.

"It's an opportunity for Ashton to get some experience in these conditions and hopefully improve, with an eye to the next time we go to India as well."

Nov 26: Holland finds form quickly in Shield return

Having not played a Test since his call-up on the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2016, Holland said he fears his time in Baggy Green may be over.

"I probably thought if I wasn't going to get picked this time they probably have (drawn a line through my name)," the 30-year-old said.

"I would have loved another crack at it. It's pretty disappointing.

"After Sri Lanka and not being as prepared as I would have liked and disappointed with the way I bowled, I've worked pretty hard and got the wickets on the board.

"Another opportunity would have been great but I guess it's not going to be."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Ashton Agar.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, drawn. Scorecard

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21