SL vs AUS: Ashton Agar Ruled Out Of 2nd Test, Jon Holland Added To Squad

After failing to recuperate from a side strain, Ashton Agar’s chances of being called up for an Australian Test in Sri Lanka are lost. On Saturday morning, Agar was eliminated from the second Test, and Australia named Jon Holland to their 17-man team in his place. 

Despite having not played in a Test since 2017, he was thought to have a good chance of participating in the series in Sri Lanka. Three weeks ago, he suffered an injury during Australia’s first one-day international. 

Mitchell Swepson To Start In Second Test In Ashton Agar’s Place

Due to Agar’s unavailability, Mitchell Swepson will probably start the second Test on Friday in Agar’s place. Legspinner Swepson captured two and three wickets respectively in the second innings of the first Test, helping Australia to a 10-wicket victory. 

“I was really happy with Swepo,” Australia’s captain Pat Cummins said. 

 “A couple of key breakthroughs in the first innings and then [on Friday], top order wickets. Really valuable.He controlled the tempo of the game, he had some batters come really hard at him. I thought he bowled beautifully.” 

Jon Holland Added To The Squad As Ashton Agar’s Replacement

Following a finger injury, Holland was added to the team. Holland was not given much of an opportunity to perform in Galle as part of the larger touring group because of his discomfort. His injury has recovered, giving him a chance to participate in the series finale Test match for the first time since 2018. 

In a startling collapse that saw them lose 10 wickets at only 23 overs, Sri Lanka’s batting order was destroyed by Australia’s spinners, and they went on to lose the first Test in Galle in just two and a half days. 

As Sri Lanka was outscored for 113, Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, and Mitchell Swepson each claimed four wickets. Australia won by 10 wickets before noon on the third day with a victory margin of just five runs, taking a 1-0 series lead. 

Since 2011, when they last won in Galle, Australia hadn’t won a Test match in Sri Lanka. Australia had previously won seven times in Sri Lanka, but this was the first occasion they had done it when batting second.

In the 21 occasions where teams won the toss and chose to bat first, Sri Lanka’s defeat was just the fourth time a team has lost in Galle. Three of those four losses have occurred to Sri Lanka in the previous 18 months. 

Also Read: IND W vs SL W: Harmanpreet Kaur Stays Calm, It Helps In Her Decision-making: Deepti Sharma