Agar thrilled to have Lyon in white ball squad

Australia left-arm spinner Ashton Agar says that it is a massive boost to him to train alongside Nathan Lyon even if he is competing with him for a place in the XI.
Agar’s much improved batting will likely see him earn a place in the ODI team ahead of Lyon but in an inexperienced group the selectors felt that Lyon would add a lot to the squad.
Speaking ahead of the first ODI against England Agar said: “It’s only a positive having (Lyon) at training.
“I still look up to the way he bowls though I may be ahead of him for this game, but you never know how it may pan out.
“I learn a lot from him. He’s got the best stock ball in the world, I think.
“And it’s impressive to watch in the nets.
“306 Test wickets is something that’s pretty special, so I respect that a lot, and I’m learning from him every day.”
Agar credits the rise of the big bash with helping his batting in white ball cricket and propelling him into the frame for the 2019 World Cup squad.
“I think just the rise of Big Bash cricket has really helped my batting in white-ball cricket,” he said.
“I come in at the end a lot in Big Bash games and try and finish the job.
“I work very hard on my batting and I’m trying to build on that.”
The left-armer is pleased to get an opportunity to bowl in England again having not put his best foot forward with the ball on his last visit. Though he hit 98 on Test debut against England in 2013, he took just 2 wickets in two Tests going wicketless in three out of the four innings he bowled in.
“I’m really excited to be back bowling here (in England). I feel like it is a while ago now, and probably not the greatest bowling memories back then to be fair,” Agar said.
“But to play at Lord’s and bowl well at Lord’s felt really nice, because I didn’t bowl well there last time.
“To come in to this game full of confidence is a good feeling. “
Latest
-
News
On This Day in 2003: James Anderson takes five wickets on Test debut
Anderson started as he meant to go on 19 years ago on his first appearance.
-
News
Birmingham Phoenix head coach Daniel Vettori named as Australia assistant
Under Vettori’s leadership, the Phoenix reached the final of The Hundred before losing out to Southern Brave at Lord’s.
-
News
Ollie Robinson and Dom Sibley get chance to push Test claims in County Select XI
The duo, who have 31 international caps between them, will be hoping to make an impression against New Zealand.
-
News
England’s new dawn and Commonwealth Games – cricket’s summer highlights
The Hundred returns for a second season while India return to finish last summer’s Test series.
-
News
Zak Crawley ready to raise his game for England
The batter has made a modest start to the county season.
-
News
Zak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn
Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship.
-
News
India recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
News
Keith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
News
Craig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
News
Three positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.