ENG vs PAK | I am trying to play some better cricket shots, insists Ashton Agar
Australian spinner Ashton Agar has insisted that he is trying to play better cricketing shots to take the game deep and the second T20I against England was an example of this approach. He added that it is weird to play without crowds as Australia are always welcomed with sweet words by English fans.
Australia has already lost the three-match T20I series against England after losing the first two matches. The first T20I was in their hands before they decided to press the panic button and lost wickets in a bunch, ultimately falling short by two runs. In the second match which was played on Sunday, Australia lost one-sided to England by six wickets.
Picking up two scalps in each of the two matches, Ashton Agar has managed toĀ take four wickets in this series. The left-arm orthodox was crucial with the bat as well as he registered 23 runs in the second T20I to take Australia's total past the 150-run-mark. Agar stated that batting at number seven is difficult as making the most out of the minimal balls available is not an easy task. The southpaw added that he tries to play good quality cricket to take his team home.Ā
"It is a difficult role (batting at number seven), coming in with minimal balls left, you could be in a difficult position when you come into bat, generally there are batsmen at the other end and the major role is to give them the strike. I am trying to play some better cricket shots, I try to take the game deep and yesterday was a small example of that," Agar said in a virtual press conference on Monday as quoted by TOI.Ā
The ongoing series between England and Australia is being played behind closed doors as a precautionary measure against the Coronavirus. Talking about the absence of crowds, Agar revealed that playing without crowds is weird as they are well adapted to be on the receiving end of numerous English fansā banters.Ā
"It is weird playing without crowds, usually there is a bit of banter from the crowd here in England, not having them inside the stadiums is a bit strange, but I think we have done a good job in forgetting about that and just getting on with the game," said Agar.
Australia has lost the T20I series against England, but the side would be looking to win the final game in order toĀ get back to theĀ number one rankingĀ after England eclipsed them in the second game to occupy the numero-uno poistion.
If England manage to win the final T20I, the Three Lions would become the number one ranked side in T20Is again. The third and final T20I of the three-match series will be played on September 8 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.Ā
Agar pointed out that the Australian teamās preparation has been on point and they have produced some good moments over the two T20I matches, but insisted that the team needs to transform preparation into good results.Ā Ā
"We were never rusty, it is a really really good feeling to be playing international cricket again, we love doing that. After a long break, we have done some good things, we came close to winning both the matches, I feel like our preparation was really good and we just need to translate it into a couple of wins," he added.