Bats star Chris Bagger was “never comfortable” with a decision to switch from the middle to the left-handed batting position during his career, but the former All-Star has been delighted with his chances with the bat this season.
Bagger, 37, has played in all six of Australia’s Tests this year, including the three Tests against Pakistan in Perth and Brisbane in April.
He was the only Australian to score a century in the third Test against Pakistan at Sydney’s MCG, while Bagger also became the first player in Australia’s history to score five hundreds in one Test.
Baggie’s average of 1.30 runs per match is the lowest in the game this season, while he has averaged 14.01 and 10.54 in the past two Tests.
But Bagger said the switch was the best decision for him in his career.
“I think it’s a lot better than being on the left hand side, I think that’s better,” Bagger told reporters after the third-Test victory over Pakistan.
That’s what I’ve been doing the whole year, that’s what the game demands of me and I think I’ve got that.””
That’s not my weakness, I have great batting ability.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing the whole year, that’s what the game demands of me and I think I’ve got that.”
The veteran Bagger, who retired at the end of the 2015 season after making his Test debut in 2001, said he had no regrets about choosing to play with the middle-order.
“You never want to be the one on the back foot, but I never really wanted to be that side of the game,” Bager said.
“When I played with the left side, that was where I wanted to bat and the ball would always come around and I’d go over the fence or whatever.”
That was my weakness and it’s been a lot more comfortable this year.
“Bagger is playing a role on the international stage with Australia, and it has not gone unnoticed by the international community.”
Bager said he was looking forward to seeing his fellow batsmen in the Test squad this summer.””
He’s played for Australia and he’s played at a really high level.”
Bager said he was looking forward to seeing his fellow batsmen in the Test squad this summer.
“Hopefully we’ll have a bit of a crack at playing for the team next year,” Baggie said.