Ashton Agar made history with the highest score ever by a number 11 batsman in Test cricket on a remarkable day of Investec Ashes cricket at Trent Bridge.
Coming to the crease with the tourists’ first innings in tatters at 117-9 replying to England’s 215 all out, the 19-year-old debutant blasted a scarcely believable 98 off 101 balls.
The late Phillip Hughes, usually a dashing top-order batsman, found himself playing the supporting role of 81 not out in a remarkable partnership of 163 for the last wicket.
Standing up to a much heralded England attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Graeme Swann, Agar struck 12 fours and two sixes in an extraordinary exhibition of exhilarating stroke play.
Six weeks earlier, Agar had been playing for Henley against North Mymms in the Home Counties Premier League.
Now he was pulling Finn way in-front of square for four and launching Swann over long-off for six.
So flowing was Agar’s stroke play and so beaming was his smile, Trent Bridge’s loyal English crowd for a moment wavered in their partisan loyalty.
The crowd’s reaction to his eventual dismissal, caught by Swann in the deep off the bowling of Broad, was muted. Nobody would have begrudged the Western Australia left-arm spinner a ton.
He left the field, however, to the warmest of Trent Bridge ovations.
From staring a sizeable deficit in the face, Australia had opened up a 65 run first innings lead, and the seeds of a thoroughly dramatic Investec Test Match had been sewn.
Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information
Vs. Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 15 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
Vs. Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 29 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.