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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Ashes PHOTOS: Agar breaks Test record score for number 11
This article was first published 10 years ago

Ashes PHOTOS: Agar breaks Test record score for number 11

Last updated on: July 11, 2013 23:58 IST

Image: Ashton Agar celebrates after reaching his half-century
Photographs: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Australia's Ashton Agar played an extraordinary innings of 98 on his Test debut against England on Thursday, the highest ever score by a number 11 in a Test match.

The 19-year-old came to the crease with Australia on 117 for nine and shared a Test record last-wicket partnership of 163 with Phil Hughes.

SCORECARD: Ashes first Test

He fell two runs short of his century, caught by Graeme Swann off Stuart Broad at deep mid-wicket, as Australia were finally dismissed for 280, a first-innings lead of 65.

The previous highest individual Test score by a number 11 was West Indian Tino Best's 95 against England last year.

The left-arm spinner had only played 10 first-class matches before being named in the Australia side for this first Ashes Test.

- Click NEXT for more images from the second day's play

Anderson has Australia reeling

Image: James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of Steve Smith
Photographs: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Earlier in the morning on Day 2, England's premier pace bowler James Anderson continued his wicket ways as the tourists struggled.

- SCORECARD: Ashes first Test

Steven Smith and Phil Hughes started the day well as they set about repairing the Australian innings before Anderson claimed the key wicket of Smith, who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for 53.

He also claimed the wickets of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc to complete a magnificent five-wicket haul.

Smith shines amidst the ruins

Image: Steve Smith
Photographs: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Smith became the first batsman from either team to cross the fifty run mark in the match.

The right-hander hit a fluent 53 from 79 balls, adding 55 runs for the fifth wicket with Phil Hughes to steady the Australian innings before they collapsed again.

Haddin falls for a duck

Image: Brad Haddin is bowled by Graeme Swann
Photographs: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Brad Haddin failed to make an impression with the bat as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Graeme Swann.

Off-spinner Swann got one to turn sharply as Haddin played back but failed to make contact and was bowled as Australia continued to disappoint with the bat.

Anderson claims five-wicket haul

Image: James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of Mitchell Starc
Photographs: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Anderson went on to take the wickets of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc in successive overs to complete a five wicket-haul and leave Australia in tatters.

Siddle and Starc were both caught behind by wicketkeeper Prior as Australia were reduced to 114 for eight in the 33rd over.

Australia lose five wickets for nine runs in 32 balls

Image: Graeme Swann appeals successfully for the wicket of James Pattinson
Photographs: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Swann claimed his second wicket when he trapped James Pattinson leg before wicket for two.

The left-hander asked for the review but it went in the favour of the bowler, as Australia slipped to 117 for nine, having lost their last five wickets for nine runs in 32 balls.

Hughes offers stubborn resistance

Image: Phil Hughes of Australia hits out
Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Phil Hughes, seven not out overnight, was all grit and determination as he complete a 94-ball 50. He and Agar took Australia out of the woods.

He was unebaten with 81 off 131 balls as Australia's first ininngs folded for 280 in 64.5 overs.

19-year-old Agar breaks Test record score for number 11

Image: Ashton Agar and Phil Hughes leave the ground after their record 10th wicket partnership
Photographs: by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The 19-year-old Agar, who joined Hughes at the wicket with the score on 117-9, was involved in a stand of 163 before he was last man out, caught by Graeme Swann on the mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Stuart Broad.

The teenager broke the record for the highest score by a Test number 11. The debutant left-arm spinner was out for 98, beating the previous top score of 95 made by West Indies' Tino Best against England at Edgbaston in 2012.

Agar and Hughes also surpassed the record Test partnership of 151 for the 10th wicket as Australia were finally dismissed for 280, a first-innings lead of 65.

Starc strikes early in England's second essay

Image: Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking the wicket of Joe Root in England's second innings
Photographs: by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

England’s start in the second innings was disastrous.

After openers Alastair Cook and Joe Root played cautiously early on, Root, on five, was unlucky to flick Mitchell Starc through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin down the leg-side.

Umpire Aleem Dar thought for a few seconds before raising the finger.

Trott also departs and England in trouble

Image: Mitchell Starc appeals successfully for the wicket of Jonathan Trott after a referral. Phil Hughes is on the right.
Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Jonathan Trott was then trapped lbw by Starc's next delivery, sent back to the pavilion following an umpire referral after being initially given not out.

England ended the day on 80 for two, having recovered from the loss of two early wickets.

Alastair Cook, on 37, and Kevin Pietersen, 35, were the not out batsmen and they will resume with England 15 runs ahead after an enthralling start to the series.