Ash(ton) Agar ..... enters record - great innings by a No.11

Elsewhere the 1^st Test of Ashes provided lot of entertainment.. England after being skittled out for 215 were 80/2 – leading with 15 runs … Aussies made 280 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham… again not so simple..

It is known as Investec Series - Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank and Asset Manager… they a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three principal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974. In July 2002 the Investec group implemented a dual listed company structure with listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The combined group’s current market capitalisation is approximately GBP3.6 billion.

At Trent Bridge, the hero was the tall Melbourne born man with Srilankan heritage ..  Ash(ton) Agar … and he almost got that ton…. It was an ordinary bowling performance for that left arm spinner who bowled 7 overs gave 24 and did little of note.  His rise has been phenomenal. 

When Aussies batted they lost both the openers at 19; Clarke immediately were 53/4 then were 117 for 9 when Pattinson got out….. the lean Agar, Western Australian left-arm spinner walked to bat in his debut innings.   When the team for Ashes was announced it was seen as a major selection surprise  that the 19-year-old spinner was included.  Agar got  his baggy green cap, presented on the strength of only ten first-class matches – it appeared to be a move to exploit England's phalanx of right-handers – even as the performing Nathan Lyon, who took nine wickets in his last Test match against India in Delhi was left out.

No last man has ever made a Test hundred. Ashton Agar came within inches of achieving it in his maiden Test innings. He finally got when he was on the verge of making it but still this innings would remain a great one.  Alastair Cook might have thought  Investec Test was theirs for the taking when Aussies were 9 down for 119….. but the man who was making his maiden appearance thought otherwise as he made a transformational stand of 163 for the last wicket… making 98 off only 101 balls with 11 fours and two sixes- now those following  Cricket globally know his name. The earlier record holder was Tino Best with 95.   Phillip Hughes, the  specialist batsman gave him company.   

The specialist bowlers and the experienced England team watched in disbelief as Agar kept scoring runs with ease.   Here the specialist batsman was blocking,  and the no. 11 was playing freely dispatching the ball to every part of the ground…… - Ashton Agar has announced his arrival….. though he is yet to take a wicket…

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.