Ashton Agar hoping for SCG pitch to assist spin

Sydney: With the Sydney Cricket Ground having a history of assisting spin from third day onwards, Australian left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar is hoping to get picked in the XI and play his part in the fourth and final cricket Test against India starting January 6.

Agar, who joined the 13-man squad that regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following a draw in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, is keeping his fingers crossed for his Test return after nearly one-and-a-half years.

"Nothing's guaranteed. That's what I'm saying in my head," Agar, who played his second and last Test in July 2013 in England, was quoted as saying on Cricket Australia website.

"I'm just going to try my very best to bowl well in the nets and from there it's pretty much up to the wicket," he added.

The 21-year-old is making his presence felt for domestic side Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash T20 tournament and did pick up the key wicket of Jacques Kallis in Thursday's match against Sydney Thunder.

On the other hand India, who will be playing for pride after trailing 0-2 in the four-match series, may also be looking to include rookie left-arm spinner Akshar Patel to field a two-man spin attack alongwith Ravichandran Ashwin at SCG.

Patel was flown in as a replacement for an injured Ravindra Jadeja currently undergoing rehabilitation for his left-shoulder injury.

The Test will also see new Indian Test captain Virat Kohli lead the team after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's surprising retirement from the longest format post the Melbourne game.