Agar happy with T20 prep for Test

Ashton Agar has played just one red-ball match in four months, but he's confident a short stint in the Big Bash has left him well prepared for an Ashes call up.

Ashton Agar

Ashton Agar is confident the Big Bash has left him well prepared for an Ashes call up. (AAP)

Ashton Agar's brief stint in cricket's shortest form is the ideal preparation for an Ashes Test, according to the recalled off-spinner.

While traditionalists have long lamented Australia's summer calendar - which sees the Twenty20 Big Bash take domestic preference during the second half of the Test season - Agar can see an upside.

Agar has played just one game with the red ball since his last Test against Bangladesh four months ago, after he broke his finger in a subsequent one-dayer in India.

It meant he got just one solitary Sheffield Shield match in for Western Australia before the start of this summer's BBL.

But when quizzed about whether that would be an issue if he is picked in Australia's final XI for Thursday's Test, the Perth Scorchers' spinner argued the opposite.

"I actually think it's really good preparation for a Test match," Agar said.

"That may sound funny. There are certain things that when you step into a Test environment that are really similar between BBL and Test cricket .

"There's the pressure and the crowds. You've got batters trying to take you down and you have to bowl really well and have good control over your lengths and variations."

Agar has found himself at home in the shortened version of the game this summer.

The 24-year-old has been Perth's most economical bowler at 4.91 an over across their opening three wins, and he doesn't expect to have to change much in his bowling if he survives the cut from the 14-man Test squad this week.

"(Bowling in Tests) is not a lot different," Agar said.

"It just depends who you are bowling to in a game situation.

"You probably bowl a few more standard off-spinners in Test matches but that depends on who you're bowling to.

"But you still have to think on your feet and mix it up to try and get some wickets"

The left-arm orthodox tweaker is also keen to learn off fellow finger spinner Nathan Lyon.

The pair toured Bangladesh together this year, and built up a strong partnership in the drawn series.

"I've known Gaz for a long time now. He's always worked really well with me and built me up with confidence," Agar said.

"Just to learn the subtle things from him. He's the best off-spinner in the world, 100 per cent. And he's bowling beautifully, and he has done all series.

"To have someone like that with that Test experience is awesome."


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Source: AAP



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