Australia's left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been released from Test squad to play in ongoing Sheffield Shield for Western Australia. Agar did not get a chance to play in the first two Tests and will return home ahead of third Test which is scheduled to start on March 6 at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Agar will be a part of Western Australia's next game which is scheduled to be played on March 2. It will be followed by Marsh Cup final on March 8.
Agar has joined the list of Australian players who have gone back home. David Warner got injured in the second Test whereas Josh Hazlewood returned home without playing a single Test.
Agar was included in the initial squad as third choice spinner as Todd Murphy made his debut in series opener. However, after Australia’s defeat in the Nagpur Test, another left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann received maiden callup followed by the baggy green for Delhi Test as Agar continued to warm the bench.
Before the second Test, Australian selector on tour, Tony Dodemaide explained why Agar did not get a chance by saying "his red-ball bowling is not quite where he wants it to be".
The 29-year-old has played five Tests and taken nine wickets at an average of 52. His First-Class record is not impressive either. He has 157 wickets from 64 games but at an average of 42.21. However, he can return to India for the three-ODI series which is scheduled to start on March 17 at Wankhede Stadium.
Meanwhile, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will rejoin the squad before the third Test. Swepson went back home before the Delhi Test for the birth of his first child.
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Earlier this week, skipper Pat Cummins returned to Australia for a family emergency. Cummins will fly back to India for the Nagpur Test.
Cameron Green who has not played in the first two Tests has also recovered from finger injury and is likely to take Warner’s place in the playing eleven.
