despite agar

T20 World Cup: After a defeat to Afghanistan in the T20 World cup Super 8 match, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald and captain Mitchell Marsh defended the 'tough move' of including spinner Ashton Agar in the playing XI in place of star pacer Mitchell Starc, citing the need for a spin on the sluggish surface.

Australia now find itself in a precarious position ahead of their final Super Eight fixture against India in St. Lucia on Monday. In their previous match on a slow, turning pitch in St. Vincent, Australia opted to include Agar as a second specialist spinner alongside Adam Zampa, leaving out Starc.

Agar performed well, conceding only 17 runs in his four overs, including a maiden over. But, Afghanistan’s strong opening partnership of 118 runs highlighted the absence of Starc's early striking capability.