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WA spinner Ashton Agar says Mitchell Swepson deserved to be called up ahead of him for the third Test against NZ at the SCG.
Ashton Agar says he holds no bitterness about being leapfrogged into the Test squad by Mitchell Swepson, but he doubts the leg-spinner will get a crack against NZ at the SCG.
Test great Shane Warne has urged Australian selectors to include Swepson in the final XI for the third Test, but finding a spot for the 26-year-old is easier said than done.
With Australia's pace stars firing on all cylinders and off-spinner Nathan Lyon not eager to be rested for the third Test, Swepson's only hope for a call-up is if Australia drop one of their batsmen to unleash a five-pronged bowling attack.
That appears unlikely, especially given the emergence of Marnus Labuschagne as a capable back-up spinner and Travis Head's century in the Boxing Day Test.
Agar has played four Tests for Australia - the last in 2017 - but his lack of wickets in Sheffield Shield ranks this summer meant he got leapfrogged by Swepson.
The 26-year-old has taken the news in his stride, and he hopes Swepson thrives if he gets the opportunity.
"Certainly no disappointment, and absolutely no bitterness. I hope Sweppo goes really well," Agar said.
"I think I may have been on a sort of standby. But Mitch Swepson has bowled beautifully this year.
"His control looks great, he's bowling lovely wrong-uns and he deserves his spot there.
"It will be interesting to see what make-up they go with. I doubt they're going to play another spinner just because their quicks are firing so nicely."
Agar has snared just three wickets at an average of 136 in Shield ranks this season.
He said he would need to bowl more consistently and take more wickets before he can be thrust back into the Test selection picture.
For now, Agar is intent on helping the Perth Scorchers turn around their flagging form.
The Scorchers (1-3) will be aiming to snap a two-match losing run when they take on the Brisbane Heat at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday.
Master blaster Chris Lynn, fresh of his 94 against the Sydney Sixers, looms as the Scorchers' biggest threat.
But Agar said the team was confident the same plans that allowed them to dismiss Sixers opener Josh Philippe so cheaply last week would also work against Lynn.
"We changed the pace up, we didn't give them two balls that were the same. That's what you need to do to Lynny," Agar said.
"Fortunately we've got two spinners as well - myself and Fawad Ahmed - who might be able to do a good job against him.
"If we follow the blueprint from the last game, I think we'll be ok."
