The Story
Steven Smith, the Australia skipper, has identified Ashton Agar, the left arm spinner, as someone who has the potential to emulate the achievement which he himself earned in extraordinary fashion.
It’s a pretty well-known fact that Smith began as a leg spinner who could score handy lower order runs before promoting himself up in the batting order as to become the mainstay. It’s been a few years now since the Smith has established himself as one of the premier batsmen in the world.
The transition was possible, as he already possessed the potential and the urge to become a top order batsman.
Smith has spotted a similar capability in the young sensation Aston Agar.
More Than Just a Lower Order Contributor
According to skipper Steven Smith, Ashton Agar has the potential to eventually bat in Australia’s top six at the Test level following the latter’s selection for the upcoming Qantas Tour of Bangladesh.
“I think he could certainly end up in the top six, I think he’s got that ability,” Smith told cricket.com.au.
“Right now I’m not sure, he’s probably playing mainly as a spinner who can bat a bit, somewhere like where I started probably. But I think he’s certainly got the capability to bat in the top six at some point.”
Different From Other Tail Enders
Agar became an overnight sensation when he played an innings of 98 runs, which remains the owner of the highest ever Test score by a No.11 batsman, on debut more than four years ago. This knock is rated as one of the best in the Ashes and revered as a part of the folklore now.
The 23-year-old will now take up the role of Australia’s second spinner along with Mitchell Swepson for their two-Test series against Bangladesh.
“He’s a different sort of batter; he’s got a very free-flowing and unique swing.
“It looked like he has some really good plans against spin (in the nets on the recent tour of India) so he looks like he’ll be able to play a role with both bat and ball.”