Justin Langer hails Ashton Agar after stunning debut innings

Ashton Agar has been tipped for greatness by a member of one of the best Test sides of all time.

Justin Langer, an opening batsman for the all-conquering Australia team of the early-2000s, saw enough in debutant Agar’s stunning innings of 98, the highest ever in Tests by a No11, to be certain he will have a glorious future.

Langer said: “He’s the most natural young cricketer I’ve seen for a very long time, and as long as he just stays loose and keeps smiling he’s got a huge future ahead of him.

“He now knows he can do it at this level and that’s probably the toughest thing for a young guy coming into international cricket; wondering whether you’re good enough,” added Langer in the Sydney Morning Herald. “He knows he’s good enough now.

“He’s so loose and relaxed. It’s very rare to see young players who are like that — they tend to be so coached and so mechanical, I guess because of the professional era we’re in.

“His arms are like a hose in a swimming pool. And all the great athletes, if you think about it, they’re really loose.”