Spinner Ashton Agar to join Birmingham Bears for entire T20 Blast

Birmingham Bears have signed Australian left-arm spinner Ashton Agar for the complete 2019 Vitality Blast campaign, including the knockout stages should the Bears progress.

25-year-old Agar, who has won 15 International T20 caps for Australia, has taken 46 wickets in his T20 career and played a key role within the Perth Scorchers teams that won the Men’s Big Bash League in 2014/15 and 2016/17.

He burst onto the international scene in 2013 after being awarded his
Baggy Green for Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes series at Trent
Bridge, where he set a world-record score for a number 11 batsman of 98.

Jim Troughton, Birmingham Bears first team coach, said: “Ashton has won major T20 trophies and possesses quality international experience. 

“Securing him for the entire Vitality Blast campaign bolsters our bowling
attack and gives us an excellent spin pairing with Jeetan Patel. However,
Ashton has also proven himself to be a very capable and powerful batsman who
can clear the ropes, whilst also being an excellent fielder.

“In addition to having excellent cricketers, it’s important that we have
the right characters taking to the field for the Bears and, having played
alongside Ian Bell during Perth Scorchers victorious Big Bash campaign in
2016/17, we have no doubt that he’ll wear the Bear with pride and be a great
addition to the dressing room.

“Having now agreed terms with Ashton, as a club we would like to thank
New Zealand international Colin de Grandhomme for his attitude and commitment
to the Bears in our last two Vitality Blast campaigns and we wish him every
success in the game moving forward.” 

Agar will join up with the Bears squad ahead of the opening game of the Vitality Blast campaign away to local rivals, and reigning champions, Worcestershire Rapids on Friday 19 July.

Agar commented after striking the deal: “I’m thrilled to sign for Birmingham Bears for this year’s Vitality Blast and to make Birmingham my home for July, August and hopefully September!

“Whilst they missed out on qualification last year, the Bears have been
one of the top teams in the Blast over the last five years and I would love to
play a lead role in bringing them back home to Edgbaston for Finals Day this
year.

“Having played at Edgbaston for Australia in last summer’s IT20 against
England, I’ve certainly experienced its atmosphere and know just how passionate
the supporters can be. I’m certainly looking forward to having them behind us
when we start our Blast campaign in July.”