PAK vs AUS: Pat Cummins backs Mitchell Swepson and Ashton Agar to step up in Test series

Australia are gearing up for the historic all-format tour of Pakistan, which comprises three Tests, as many ODIs and a solitary T20I in schedule. Notably, this would be Team Australia’s very first assignment in Pakistan since 1998 and it would be interesting to see how the series pans out. Meanwhile, the action will begin with the opening Test, which gets underway on March 4 in Rawalpindi.

Needless to mention, spinners from either sides will have to play a crucial role. After all, tracks in the sub-continent are known to provide great assistance to the spin bowlers. Speaking of the same, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins said Australian spinners will be ready to face Pakistan despite limited First-Class cricket this season.

While veteran Nathan Lyon will be the first-choice spinner, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson will assist him in the Tets series. As spin is expected to play a crucial role, the Aussies will have to take the field with at least two spinners. In this case, Swepson is all but likely to be considered ahead of the left-arm spinner as he has played a little bit First-Class cricket lately.

Really confident in Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson’s form: Pat Cummins

On the other hand, Agar hasn’t played a single red-ball game this season. His last Test appearance was recorded way back in 2017. “Swepo (Swepson) has spent a lot of time around the Test side, so even though he might not have played a lot of red-ball cricket he’s been bowling lots and lots in the nets and the same for Ash (Agar),” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“He’s been playing quite a lot of international cricket the last couple of years so while it’s a different format, different feel, really confident in their form that either of those would be able to slot straight in,” he confident.

Notably, Marnus Labuschagne, the top-ranked Test batter currently, is another spin-bowling option in the team alongside Steve Smith. Seven of Labuschagne’s 12 Test wickets came against Pakistan during his debut series in 2018.