Agar philosophical ahead of return to India

Ashton Agar says he is in a good place as he prepares to make his return to India ahead of the three-match ODI series, starting on March 17.

ASHTON AGAR.
ASHTON AGAR. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

A refreshed Ashton Agar says he holds no ill feelings about his recent Test snub as he prepares to return to India for the three-match ODI series.

Agar had high hopes of playing a key role in the four-Test series in India, but he watched on as fellow spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann leapfrogged him in the pecking order.

Kuhnemann wasn't even in the original touring party, and was only flown over after Mitchell Swepson went home for the birth of his first child.

Agar decided to return home after being overlooked for the first two Tests.

But instead of dwelling on his misfortune, Agar embraced the chance to link back up with his WA teammates, and he tasted title joy on Wednesday as the Warriors crushed South Australia by 181 runs to secure back-to-back one-day cup crowns.

Agar snared 5-64 in a standout display, and the 29-year-old was philosophical about his recent Test snub.

"I felt I wasn't bowling as well as I needed to be," Agar said when asked about his reason for returning home early.

"And that's fair enough. It's a very clear direction forward for me now to work on it and improve.

"I harbour no ill will or ill feelings at all. I'm very well supported in that camp, and they've kept in constant communication with me as well

"It's fine. It's all in a good place.

"I've been a professional cricketer for 10 years now, so I'm far more resilient than when I started."

Agar still harbours hopes of playing Test cricket for Australia, but for now is locked into performing strongly in the three-match ODI series against India, starting on March 17.

The 50-over World Cup in India begins in October, and Agar wants to make sure he's firing for that showpiece tournament.

"I feel pretty calm heading over there," Agar said.

"I got to play some one-day cricket over there before, so I know what I'm in for.

"It's going to be a really big challenge. They are unbelievable players.

"But I've got an amazing group of guys who I'll be over with as well."