FORMER McKinnon and Richmond player Ashton Agar has made Test cricket history, smashing several batting records with 98 on debut in the Ashes.
The 19-year-old, who was awarded the 434th Baggy Green cap by Glenn McGrath on Wednesday evening Melbourne time, resurrected the Australian innings with an amazing hand on Thursday night.
On the verge of a historical century he holed out to Graeme Swann in the deep off Stuart Broad, but was smiling as if to say “that’s cricket” as he walked from the field. His runs came from just 101 balls.
Agar came to the crease with the score at a disastrous 9/117, with the Aussies still 98 runs in arrears of England’s first innings total of 215.
But Agar, who has played just 10 first-class matches and was hurried into the squad as a left-arm orthodox bowling option ahead of Nathan Lyon, showed batting prowess well beyond his years and tore apart the English attack, who were left to a rue a close third-umpire decision that ruled Agar was not out stumped when he was on six.
He showed up his more experienced peers with an assured, confident innings, scoring runs all around the wicket to be the top score in the innings.
He grew in confidence as the innings went on with several glorious, attacking shots against some of the world’s best bowlers in James Anderson and Graeme Swann.
It is the highest score for a number 11 in Test history and his partnership of 163 with Phil Hughes (81), who supported Agar brilliantly, is also a Test record.
Agar played 38 matches for McKinnon, mixing senior cricket with junior cricket. He made 742 runs at an average of 39.05, including one century in the seniors. He also took 20 wickets at 17.3.
He later played for Richmond in Premier Cricket, with two half-centuries and 28 wickets, though he moved to Western Australia for the 2012-13 season after a lack of opportunities with Victoria.
