Ashton Agar has been one of the Perth Scorchers’ most economical bowlers over the past two games and believes playing BBL cricket is ideal preparation for the Test series in India.
Agar was on Sunday named in the 16-player Australia Test squad for the Qantas Tour of India which runs throughout February to March.
The 23-year-old left-armer spinner hasn’t been prolific in the wicket-taking column in BBL|06, but he has been tight, going for 0-18 (four overs) and 0-21 (3.2 overs) in the past two matches.
Agar compared bowling in the BBL to the foreign conditions the side will encounter in India.
“I think it’s pretty similar, bowling quick and into the wicket, mixing up your pace,” Agar said.
“Those batters, even though the wickets might spin, they’re really good in their own conditions.
“They’ve done really well against pretty good bowling attacks over there.
“I think that T20s here is actually a pretty good lead-up to a test series in India.”
He’s one of four spinners, plus all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, named in the Test squad.
Agar said he’d come a long way since his Test debut during the 2013 Ashes in England where he memorably made 98 but only took two wickets in two matches.
“I’m happy with where my game is,” Agar said. “I think I’ve matured a lot as a player, both with my skills and mentally so I think that holds me in good stead going into a tour like this.
"I was 19 when that happened and probably didn't realise the significance of what it actually was, but I think I'm in a better place to go into a Test series now than I was when I was 19, or even the last couple of years.
"Just to have a few games under my belt and not to be as flustered or as fazed by things that might happen.”