Agar learns valuable lessons from Warne

Published September 5, 2013
Ashton Agar. -Photo by AFP
Ashton Agar. -Photo by AFP

SYDNEY: Teenage Australian spinner Ashton Agar says he plans to put advice from Shane Warne into practice and win back his Test place after a stunning debut during the recent Ashes series.

The 19-year-old set the cricket world on fire with a quick-fire 98 batting at number 11 on his Test debut in the Ashes opener against England at Trent Bridge in July.

He also played in Australia's colossal 347-run second Test defeat at Lord's.

But, after taking just two wickets in all at a hugely expensive average of 124, Agar was left out of the team that drew the third Test at Old Trafford and did not feature again in the series.

Agar idolised leg-spinning legend Warne while growing up, and was able to pick his hero's brain before the third Test in Manchester. He knows he has some technical issues to iron out if he is to challenge Nathan Lyon as Australia's leading spinner.

“He just talked a lot about game sense, tactical moves and everything that comes with spin bowling,” Agar told reporters as he prepared for the Perth Scorchers' Twenty20 Champions League campaign in India, which starts on September 17.

“I was able to learn a lot from him.

“With Shane Warne, if he didn't get you out one ball, he'd make you feel like he was going to get you out the next.

“That was one of his greatest strengths. Obviously he had a lot of skill.

But he accompanied that with his great tactical mind and theatrical side.”

Western Australia coach Justin Langer said Agar learned valuable lessons from his axing in England.

“It's a tough time in the sense he was left out, but he'll be better for this experience,” Langer said.

“He's a smart guy, so he'll work things out.”

The first of five Tests in the return Ashes series starts in Brisbane on November 21.

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