Ashton Agar delighted to see disgraced ex-Australia vice-captain David Warner take up ODI punditry role
Disgraced former vice-captain Warner will join Nine Network's commentary team for Australia's second one-day international against England
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ashton Agar insists it is "great" that banned batsman David Warner will assume a television commentary role for Australia's one-day series in England.
Disgraced former vice-captain Warner will join Nine Network's commentary team for Australia's second one-day international against England, in Cardiff on Saturday.
Skipper Steve Smith and deputy Warner were banned for a year over the ball-tampering incident in March's third Test against South Africa.
Cameron Bancroft - who doctored a ball with sandpaper amid South Africa's 322-run win in Cape Town - was also banned for nine months by Cricket Australia, and head coach Darren Lehmann stepped down at the end of the series.
Warner has opted to take up a punditry role just three months after the scandal - and spinner Agar has backed that decision.
"There probably hasn't really been a lot of talk about it," Agar said of Warner's decision to take up a commentary job.
"But personally I think it's a great thing for him to be back around cricket.
"He would have been hurt, and his family too. So for him to be back around the game he loves will be important."
Australia will launch the five-match series against England with Wednesday's clash at Lord's, with Agar hoping the tourists can exploit their hosts' shock defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh.
Agar believes Australia can pounce on uncertainty created by England's six-run loss to the Scots on Sunday, when Calum MacLeod blasted a match-winning 140 not out.
Asked if England will suffer a dent in confidence after Sunday, Agar replied: "I hope so. I think we've got momentum coming into these tours and to play a couple of practice games and get a couple of wins is great for us.
"It's great England didn't win (on Sunday) because you always like to start with a win.
"It was an interesting game (on Sunady). First of all, it's great for Scotland. As a 50-over nation, it's really exciting for them."
Asked if the Scotland defeat exposed some cracks in England's bowling attack, Agar continued: "Potentially. I didn't watch it as closely as I could have.
"At the end, England didn't really finish the job. They're a really dangerous side, though, and you can't ever take a side like that lightly. We need to bring our A-game and be ready to go."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments