As third placed Western Warriors prepare to tackle table topping NSW Blues coach Justin Langer acknowledges the huge importance of the Sheffield Shield fixture at the WACA.
“It’s a huge game for us,” said Langer. “They all are - every Sheffield Shield game we say is a must-win game.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve got 20 points or two points, because you want that winning feeling and you teach the young guys how to win.
“Ashton Agar is going to play,” Langer confirmed. “We picked him for the first six games of the year.
“Unfortunately he missed the last game, with everything else he brings to the team, with his fielding and batting, he gets the nod.
“He didn’t play most of the Big Bash as well,” the coach added. “He’s been working very hard and he’s pumped about playing.
“Six months ago he was playing Test cricket. He’s a very, very talented young player.”
Agar was unavailable for selection in last week’s side to face Tasmania due to a suspension stemming from a Code of Behaviour issue in the Futures League fixture in Brisbane.
The 20-year-old returns to the Western Warriors in place of injured paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile in the side’s only change ahead of its final home game of the regular season. Coulter-Nile suffered a minor hamstring strain during last week’s win over the Tigers.
“The reality is you try to be the next guy in line to play for Australia and that’s whether you’re 21-years-old or 30-years-old,” Langer commented when asked whether Sam Whiteman is the next cab off the rank for the Australia side. “Everyone at this level should be aspiring to play for Australia.
“He’s putting performances on the board.
“Last game not only did he bat well, he took seven catches and a stumping, people forget that.
“He’s a very good talent and when the time is right he would certainly be a good choice to play for Australia.”
Only four points separate the two states with three rounds to play, with spots in the Final up for grabs. The two sides will also do battle again in the final round of matches in Canberra.
WA confirmed their 12-man squad on Wednesday, with Ashton Agar replacing the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Langer admitted the young spinner would replace Michael Beer in the final XI.
WA: Voges (c), Agar, Bancroft, Beer, Behrendorff, Duffield, Harris, Hogan, M. Marsh, North, Turner, Whiteman.
NSW: Nevill (c), Abbott, Bollinger, Carters, Copeland, Hazlewood, Henry, Maddinson, Patterson, Rohrer, Sandhu, Singh.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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