Sheffield Shield: Ashton Agar picked in Western Australia’s squad for clash with Tasmania in Hobart

Ashton Agar is in line to play first-class for the first time in almost two years as part of a Western Australia team forced into seven changes for a clash with Tasmania.

And tearaway quick Mahli Beardman, who was a bolt-from-the-blue call-up to Australia’s tour of England last month, could make a surprise debut in the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart from Friday.

It also comes as Jhye Richardson is picked in WA’s second XI team for the second time this season as he continues a push to return to first-class cricket before Christmas.

Adam Voges’ side are without Australia A representatives Cam Bancroft and Cooper Connolly, while Corey Rocchiccioli is training with a one-day international squad that also includes Josh Inglis and Aaron Hardie.

Mitch Marsh is on paternity leave, awaiting the birth of his first child, while Charlie Stobo has been dropped from the 13-man squad.

They have been replaced by Agar, Beardman, batters Sam Fanning, Ashton Turner, Teague Wyllie and left-arm quick Joel Paris, who is in line to play his first match since last summer’s final.

Joel Curtis’ remarkable start to the Premier Cricket season, where he has made three centuries and a half-century, has been rewarded with his second first-class match.

The Perth wicket-keeper has won the race to replace Josh Inglis with the gloves over new recruit Baxter Holt.

Lance Morris has been left out under load management directives from Cricket Australia.

Agar has not played a first-class game since his most recent Test match, against South Africa in Sydney in early 2023, and is not contracted with WA this season.

The West Australian revealed last month Agar had shot back into WA’s red-ball planning and he ramped up his push with a second XI appearance and a rare match for University at the weekend.

Breakout fast bowler Brody Couch is likely to form a bowling attack with Paris and the reliable Cam Gannon, with selectors then set to mull over a team balance call on whether they play three seamers or four, given they have no genuine all-rounder.

Matt Kelly is also in the squad after playing in last week’s win over Tasmania in Perth.

Hamish McKenzie has also been picked in the second XI team for his first match of the season, while former WA and South Australia batter Will Bosisto — the leading run-scorer in Premier Cricket last season — has been added.

WA Sheffield Shield squad v Tasmania

Sam Whiteman (c), Ashton Agar, Mahli Beardman, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Matt Kelly, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner, Teague Wyllie