NEW DELHI:  National selector Tony Dodemaide said on Wednesday that Australia spinner Ashton Agar has flown home after he was released from the Test squad touring India to play domestic cricket. He will l play for Western Australia in the closing stages of the domestic season.

The 29-year-old left-arm spinner is the latest Australian to return home midway into the tour, with the visitors having lost the first 2 Tests of the 4-match series.

Commenting on the development, Dodemaide said: "Agar has worked incredibly hard, he is done his absolute best to support the team. We acknowledge all work he's done, he is  worked his backside off.," 

"Whatever spin structure we used in the first Test (in Nagpur) was a very close call between Murphy, Agar, and Swepson. The two off-spinners' compatibility was in doubt; nonetheless, "the tour's selector said.

"For the second Test, Matthew Kuhnemann was coming in, and that was also a really close call. We simply agreed that Matthew's approach would be appropriate given the surroundings."
Agar has since returned home after being passed over for the first Test in Nagpur in favour of off-spinner Todd Murphy. Even though Australia decided to play three spinners in the second Test, Agar was once again benched in favour of fellow left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who was making his Test debut.

From March 1 in Indore, the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played. Beginning on March 9, the championship game will be held in Ahmedabad.

Josh Hazlewood, a fast bowler, and opening batter David Warner have already left for home after being forced to withdraw due to injuries.

Agar is scheduled to participate in the 50-over Marsh Cup final on March 8 and WA's upcoming Sheffield Shield match on March 2.

Before the Indore match, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson and captain Pat Cummins will re-join the touring group after returning home earlier to the second Test in Delhi for the birth of their respective children.

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