‘Arre 11 to chhod dena yahan’ – Ashton Agar flies back to Australia to take part in domestic cricket

Australian spin-bowling all-rounder is set to miss the remaining two Tests against India as he flies back to Australia to play domestic cricket for Western Australia. Agar was selected in the Australian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but hasn’t featured in both the Tests played so far. Recently, skipper Pat Cummins and David Warner also flew back to Australia due to different reasons. However, Cummins is expected to return before the Indore Test.

Todd Murphy was selected as the second spinning option along with Nathan Lyon in the Nagpur Test ahead of Agar. Murphy did a tremendous job in his debut Test for Australia taking 7 wickets. In the Delhi Test, the Aussies gave a chance to another debutant Matthew Kuhnemann along with Lyon and Murphy. Kuhnemann was not even the part of original Australian squad selected for the Test series and was flown to India five days prior to the start of the second Test.

“He (Agar) has been very open with us and he has absolutely worked his backside off in order to get it right, to put himself up and be an option,” Tony Dodemaide, Australia’s selector on tour, told the reporters in Delhi. Dodemaide further said that ”there’s been no lack of effort from Ashton.”

Dodemaide decided to interact with the Australian media in the morning ahead of the Delhi Test. He stated that Agar wasn’t selected in the playing XI because “his red-ball bowling is not quite where he wants it to be”. Dodemaide and Agar had a meeting in the team Hotel on Tuesday, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. It was then decided that leg-spinner will go back to Australia.

Agar likely to return for the ODI series

“Todd’s come on tremendously, as we know, and he’s been a real find for us for this. Those two (Murphy and Lyon) are now clearly established, I think, as the best two spinners, and they have 18 out of the 24 [wickets] to fall so far for us,” Dodemaide said.

“We just decided that Matthew’s style might be suited to the conditions there [in Delhi, for the second Test]. Matthew’s done nothing wrong, he took Virat Kohli’s wicket and did a really solid job, we thought,” he further added.

However, Agar is likely to return for the ODI series against India, starting on March 17. He is part of the team’s plans for the ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India, later, this year.

Here’s a look at how fans reacted to the news of Ashton Agar returning home:

I was there in last test match.
When I entered the stadium. On day 1, before the match started, Ashton Agar was playing football with Cameron Green and I could see a sense of disappointment and sadness in his face. From his face, I already got to know that he isn't playing.

— Manish kapruwan (@mannykapron) February 22, 2023

In a similar world, what happened with Ashton Agar is what happens with guys who are friendzoned. #AshtonAgar#IndiavsAustralia#BorderGavaskarTrophy2023

— Manan Vaya (@VayaManan) February 22, 2023

Ashton Agar the latest to be on a plane back from India.
The mind boggles as to why he was chosen in the first place given he's been shunned in a big way #INDvAUS #Cricket

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) February 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/MitchellGlenn/status/1628309423394525185

Australia Team the most likely players to back for home due to #Injuries. This season was not good enough for #Australians #IndvsAus #AshtonAgar #TestCricket #joshhazlewood #australiacricket #Indiateam #3rdtest

— Amandeep Sharma (@amansharma6723) February 22, 2023

Nice for @ashton agar to be sent home. Sure his family welcomes it.
Good luck to Australian selection panel@ tonydodemaide #clueless

— Nigel Samuel (@NigelSamuel10) February 22, 2023

Ashton agar went back because he doesn’t like to play in third world countries!! They are not global champions anymore, they are complete sissies, I remember those days when Australia used to dominate in white ball cricket in India, ab toh woh bhi nahi hoga with this attitude!

— Abhinav Rakesh (@abhinavmaniac) February 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/mehranzaidi/status/1628259769650925568

Australia really missed a trick by not picking him in india. He bowls flat n quick. He’s accurate. That’s what u need on surfaces like this. Monty panesar troubled India. This Ind plays spin nowhere close to 2012 team. Agar could bat n score some quick runs too.

— Ravi (@rajinder_ravi) February 22, 2023

They complain about rank Turners and send their one of the best spinners back.
Aston agar proved out to be a successful baller in Asia a few months ago during aus vs pak.

— Sarthak Sharma (@SharmaSarthak08) February 22, 2023