Two-Test spinner Ashton Agar is eager to get back into the Australian set-up but knows he must improve his Sheffield Shield results first.
Agar was the toast of Australian cricket after scoring 98 on his Test debut at Trent Bridge last year.
But it didn’t take long for the then 19-year-old to taste his first cricket low when dumped just one Ashes Test later after struggling to have an impact with the ball.
Nathan Lyon has since regained his position as Australia’s No.1 Test spinner, with Cricket Australia naming him as their sole specialist tweaker in their 18-man central contract list.
Despite losing his Test spot, Agar has taken plenty of positives out of the past year.
Last month Agar played in the Sheffield Shield final and while Western Australia came up well short against NSW, Agar lapped up the experience.
Agar claimed 21 wickets at an expensive 56.61 during the Shield campaign, and he knows it’s a figure he must improve on next season.
“We’re at a time when spin bowling probably isn’t at its highest in Australia,” Agar said on Wednesday.
“So it’s important for me to keep doing my apprenticeship in Shield cricket and keep trying to push for that spot.
“I can only do that through performance.
“It’s funny how I had a massive high in England, and now this is considered the low.
“If this is the low, then no problem.
“It’s good to experience it.”
Agar is enjoying his time in Perth, where he’s sharing a house with West Coast Fever netball players Chelsea Pitman and Chanel Gomes.
The young Victorian said a move back home wasn’t on the cards at this stage.
“It can be hard living away from home, but I’ve learnt to deal with that,” Agar said.
“It’s just a plane trip away. I’ve got constant contact with my family, so that’s ok.”
Agar joined forces with West Coast midfielder Sharrod Wellingham on Wednesday to raise money for the charity Time4Kids, which aims to put a stop to youth crime through early intervention and community programs.
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