Australia coach hints at fielding two spinners
Sports Reporter
Australia hinted at playing two spinners in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh with Ashton Agar could make a comeback after four years.
Aussie coach Darren Lehmann was confident that the left arm spinner had improved his lengths and offered an all-rounder advantage in the side with his batting and fielding abilities.
Agar had a forgettable series against England back in 2013 as he claimed just two wickets in two matches after which his career came to a halt.
We obviously havent played too much so we know where we want to go. It is a decision we make after we look at the Test wicket and conditions. But mostly likely I think we will play two spinners, Lehmann said.
His (Agar) lengths are a lot better now. He has had a good Sheffield Shield season last year, Lehmann said. Young Swepson is a good prospect as a leg spinner. We have young Holland back home who has bowled well. It is really tight between all the spinners. But Ashton batted really well and he is a gun fielder. We are really pleased for him.
With Nathan Lyon taking the role of main spinner, Lehmann backed Agar to produce the same performance that he showed in Sheffield Shield.
We are hoping for Ashton to reproduce that sort of form. He was excellent over there but we have decided to go with Ashton. He has got an all-round game that he hopefully can take to the next level. For example when we play three quicks, he can play up the order. He gives us a lot of flexibility in that way.
Australia had just won two matches in the sub-continent in the last one decade after playing 20 matches. It won one against Sri Lanka in 2011 in their 1-0 victory in three-match series and one against India in this year in its 2-1 defeat in the four-match series. The Test series in India earlier this year is the one that they came so close.
Lehmann sought inspiration from the India series as they are looking for their first series victory in sub-continent since 2011.
With the practice match called off, Australia now will train at the Academy ground next to the Sher-e -Bangla National Stadium, although their training session on Monday was cut short by rain.
Lehmann however expects that the rain will stay away during the Test match.
I havent seen the wicket in Mirpur. It will be a good wicket here traditionally. The outfield will be fine and hopefully the rain stays away. They are really working hard to get it up. Thats all we can ask. We hope that it is dry and we get a great Test match.
