Australia A v England Lions
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 11: Australia A's Mitch Swepson during the Tour Match between Australia A and England Lions at Ian Healy Oval, on December 11, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Peter Wallis/Getty Images)
Australia A v England Lions

Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson might have had incredibly limited red-ball preparation for Australia's tour of Pakistan, but captain Pat Cummins is confident the duo will still do the job if required.

Swepson's selection was expected in Australia's squad to head to the sub-continent after bowling for Australia A against the England Lions and being part of the Test squad all summer despite not playing a game as Nathan Lyon held down the spot, however, it was Agar's who raised eyebrows.

Agar hasn't bowled a ball in first class cricket all summer and has a worrying Test bowling average in his four matches of 45, to go with his first class average of 41, having taken 154 wickets in 61 matches.

While Lyon will be the first-choice spinner, and Australia aren't sold on the idea of picking two spinners in Pakistan, Cummins said the duo would still get the job done if called into the playing XI for any of the three Tests of the series, which is due to start on Friday.

"Swepo has spent a lot of time around the Test side, so even though he might not have played a lot of red-ball cricket he's been bowling lots and lots in the nets and the same for Ash," Cummins said.

"He's been playing quite a lot of international cricket the last couple of years so while it's a different format, different feel, really confident in their form that either of those would be able to slot straight in."

With injury and COVID playing a factor, Agar, even as third choice spinner, could still yet get game time in the second or third Test of the series, even if it seems unlikely, with Swepson likely the first in if Lyon can't play, or if Australia go with two spinners, a possibility thanks to the bowling of Cameron Green at number six.