Agar struck 98 - the highest score by a Test No 11 - against England at Trent Bridge in 2013 on debut
Sunday 31 December 2017 08:16, UK
Ashton Agar has been added to an expanded 14-man Australia squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England in Sydney.
The left-arm spinner was given the nod ahead of Steve O'Keefe and Jon Holland as a possible partner for Australia's first-choice spinner Nathan Lyon for the series finale at the SCG from January 4
Agar made a memorable Test debut against England in 2013, hitting 98 as he amassed the highest score by a Test No 11, but has played only three Tests since, most recently in Bangladesh in September.
"I don't look back on that (Trent Bridge) too much," said Agar. "They are great memories but I was 19, a kid. I've definitely moved forward.
"I've grown up a lot since then - life experience and cricket experience - and I feel like I've improved as a player. I'm still reasonably young, but the time is now so I'm just going to give it a good crack.
"I feel better coming into a Test match now. It doesn't feel too fresh or too out of the blue. I certainly feel a lot better walking out onto the SCG now."
Australia's squad includes fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who played in the first three Tests of the series as the Baggy Greens regained the Ashes, but missed the drawn fourth game, in Melbourne, with a bruised heel.
Batsman Peter Handscomb is also retained - the right-hander played in Australia's victories in Brisbane and Adelaide but was then replaced by Mitchell Marsh having scored just 62 runs in three innings.
Australia squad for Sydney Test: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb
