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‘It’s a huge insult’: Adam Gilchrist SLAMS Ashton Agar’s handling after spinner was spurned for Australia’s two blowout defeats against India… and highlights struggling star who could be AXED ahead of third Test
- Ashton Agar was a surprise inclusion in the series’ Test squad in India
- The left-arm spinner hasn’t played in the first two tests so far.
- Australia called up debutant Matthew Kuhnemman for the Delhi Test
Adam Gilchrist has criticized Australia’s handling of Ashton Agar, describing the decision to bypass the spinner as “insulting” and believes that Matthew Renshaw could be dropped before the third Test.
The Victorian was a surprise selection for the series in India, having returned to Test cricket after a six-year absence with a lackluster performance in the Sydney Test against South Africa last month.
Agar, however, has been left out of the XI for the first two Tests in India, with rookie Todd Murphy getting the nod before him to partner Nathan Lyon as Australia opted to play two secondary spinners in the opening Test. in Nagpur.
Lyon and Murphy were joined by Matthew Kuhnemann for the second Test, with the Queenslander making a surprise debut in Delhi after receiving a call from selectors chairman George Bailey during a Sheffield Shield match.
And Gilchrist, who remains the last Australian captain to win a series in India in 2004, was not impressed with Agar’s treatment.
Ashton Agar has watched the first two tests in India from the sidelines after being omitted from the XI on both occasions by manager Andrew McDonald.
The left-arm spinner returned to Test Cricket after six years in January against South Africa.
Adam Gilchrist described Australia’s handling of Agar as “a huge insult” on SEN Radio
There have been rumors that he [Agar] he could be on a flight home because he could feel he is surplus to requirements there and I can understand why, without being in camp and knowing the finer details of why he wasn’t picked,” said the legendary goalkeeper. SEN Radio on Monday.
“But it’s a pretty big insult that I know from touring and having been on a lot of tours, you felt like if you got cast on tour in a larger team, unless it’s pretty extreme taste, that has to go in.” you generally expected the guys who were the first reserves to step in.
‘So that’s a bit of a shock to him, I would imagine. I have not talked with him […] it will be interesting to see what he does, if he does come into contention.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has dismissed rumors that Agar could fly home along with Josh Hazlewood and David Warner, who are expected to return to Australia to recover from series-ending injuries.
The former Australian star also suggested that Matthew Renshaw could lose his place in the team for the third Test in Indore.
The Queenslander ended a five-year hiatus from Test cricket when he replaced the injured Cameron Green for the Sydney Test against South Africa, but has so far failed to impress in India.
Renshaw took scores of 0 and 2 in the opening Test at Nagpur and was initially ruled out of the Test at Delhi, only to come on as a concussed replacement for David Warner.
The 26-year-old was out for 2 again and Gilchrist believes he could be sacked for the third Test if Green passes in form.
Gilchrist also suggested that Matthew Renshaw could make way for Cam Green in the third Test.
Renshaw has scored 0,2 and 2 in three innings in India so far on this tour
“Maybe they’ll take all three wheels if the conditions warrant it and then Green comes in and adds that nice balance,” he said.
“It sounds like Renshaw is probably the guy who would drop that because it seems like he’s a bit tossed around as to where he fits in the picture.”
The Australians’ hopes of securing their first Test series victory in India since 2004 evaporated in Delhi on Sunday as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four Test series to retain the Border-Trophy. Gavaskar for the fourth time in a row.
Resuming at 1-61, Australia looked poised to establish India as an imposing target on a difficult ground only to unravel to 113 after losing nine wickets in one session for the second Test in a row.
Australia’s hopes of winning a series in India for the first time since 2004 have already evaporated after the tourists lost the first two tests in three days.
And Gilchrist admitted to being surprised by how poor Australia have been in the first two tests of the series.
“I thought they had all the tools, the mindset and the experience to do it,” he explained.
“But it’s been a bit surprising how it fell apart pretty quickly.”
Australia have a 10-day break before the third test, which begins on March 1 and moved to Indore from Dharamshala last week due to concerns over the outfield.