Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers star Ashton Agar in race against time to be fit for season opener

Perth Scorchers star Ashton Agar is considered a touch-and-go prospect to be passed fit for the start of the Big Bash League as he battles a shoulder injury. And the club could be forced into testing their spin depth, with uncapped wrist-spinning all-rounder Matthew Spoors the only other tweaker on the list after Hamish McKenzie left for Melbourne Stars. The news comes as pace duo Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson’s return to red-ball cricket is confirmed. The pair will both face South Australia in Adelaide from Saturday. Agar sprained the AC joint in his shoulder playing just his second first-class match in almost two years, against Victoria last week, and will miss the Adelaide Oval match. In a statement, WA Cricket said he will “push to be available for the early stages” of the Scorchers’ campaign. Perth’s season begins with a blockbuster home clash with Melbourne Stars on December 15, a match Glenn Maxwell is also in doubt for. Richardson and Morris’ returns to first-class cricket have been tightly managed by Cricket Australia. The injury-plagued Richardson played a pair of second XI matches, including one earlier this month where he neared full four-day bowling loads. Neither player has represented WA in the format since November. Brody Couch, the new recruit who became the first-ever West Aussie to take a hat-trick, has been rested after playing the first four matches of the season, while Mahli Beardman has been dropped from the squad. Teague Wyllie has been added and could play his second match for the summer.