Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

Test dream still burns for Ashton Agar

Left-armer Ashton Agar believes he can still make a splash in Test cricket. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

WA spinner Ashton Agar is confident he can make a successful switch back to Test cricket if given the chance on next year's tour of India.

Agar played the last of his four Tests in 2017, with the 29-year-old spending the bulk of his international career in the ODI and T20 arena.

The left-armer hasn't played a first-class match in 19 months, but the red ball itch is still as strong as ever.

Agar will get the chance to push his Test case when he lines up in the Prime Minister's XI for the four-day match against the West Indies in Canberra, starting November 23.

Barring an injury to spinner Nathan Lyon, it's unlikely Agar will get picked for the home Test series against the West Indies and South Africa this summer.

But next year's four-Test tour of India looms as a big chance for Agar to break back into the Test team as part of a two-pronged spin attack.

"I'd love to be a part of the India Test tour," Agar said.

"They are still are my favourite games to watch on TV, they were my favourite games to watch growing up.

"The ball spins miles. That desire to play Test cricket is definitely still there, I love the red ball format."

Agar is confident in his ability to switch to longer-form cricket, despite his complete lack of red ball cricket in recent times.

"I think physically it's just a different battle," said Agar, who famously made 98 on his Test debut against England in 2013.

"The skills - I'm 29 now, I've been doing this for 10 years. I think all the skills are there, and I know how to do them straight away.

"And I've got enough experience to know how to shift formats really quickly.

"But, physically, the longer game, getting your body right, building your bowling loads up to bowl for a long period of time is what is important."

Right-arm spinner Todd Murphy, who turns 22 next week, has also been named in the Prime Minister's XI squad in a move that shows he's being closely watched by national selectors.

Mitchell Swepson looms as Agar's main rival for a spot on the Test tour of India.

Not that Agar wants to get caught up in any intense battles for spots.

"I don't see anything as a bowl off," Agar said.

"Whenever I look at it that way, you just get bitter ... and you're not looking after your mates out there to be honest.

"All the spinners around the country - I'm friends with them, I want to see them do well as well.

"If you're lifting each other up, everyone gets lifted up, and that's a good thing."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.