Astonishing debut by Agar

Friday, 12 July 2013 04:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters): Australia number 11 Ashton Agar made an astonishing debut yesterday scoring a fighting 98 in 101 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes in a record breaking performance. Agar along with Phillip Hughes (unbeaten at 81) set a record partnership of 163 in 31.1 overs helping Australia to post a useful 65 runs lead in the first Ashes Test. The pair rescued Australia after the side was reeling at 117 for 9 against England first innings score of 215.

Agar was eventually out caught by Swann off the bowling of Broad. The previous highest individual test score by a number 11 was West Indian Tino Best's 95 against England last year. Left-arm spinner Agar had only played 10 first-class matches before being named in the Australia side for the first Ashes test. England fast bowler James Anderson earlier produced an inspired display of swing bowling as Australia, after resuming on 75 for four, lost five wickets for nine runs and the hosts looked poised to lead by around a hundred on first innings. Steve Smith and Hughes comfortably survived the first half hour and the former became the first player to pass fifty in the match. He had moved on to 53 when he tried to drive Anderson through extra cover and nicked a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, sparking a stunning collapse. Agar reached his half century with a two off Anderson, getting to the landmark off exactly 50 balls including one six and seven fours.