Half-centuries to South Australia opening batsmen Michael Klinger and Phil Hughes wasn’t enough to overshadow Ashton Agar’s class with the bat for Western Australia on day two of the Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
The 20-year-old who made a shock Test debut in the Ashes opener at Trent Bridge in June, reminded selectors of his precocious talent as he fell heartbreakingly short of a maiden first-class century with a well-crafted 93 in the Warriors’ total of 434.
The left-arm spinner salvaged his side’s innings along with Sam Whiteman (65) in a record 147-run seventh-wicket partnership after the visitors had sunk to 6-200 on day one.
Seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile then chipped in with quick fire 41 that included four sixes and three fours to take the visitors past the 400 mark.
But the Redbacks responded well to see out the day at 0-148 – trailing by 286 runs – thanks to Hughes (63no) and Klinger (76no).
But the pair’s impressive outing in the middle took nothing away from Agar who now has five first-class half-centuries for the Warriors since debuting on the domestic scene as a teenager in January this year.
Agar said he was disappointed to miss out on a ton, but was happy to be the among runs and strengthening his credentials as a genuine all-rounder.
“I was really determined to go out there and make a good score today, and put the team in the good position,” Agar said.
“I’m just really enjoying my cricket and trying to work on my craft.
“It’d be nice to be a really even all-rounder at the moment I feel like I’m bowling really well, so I just got to keep both facets going.”
Agar came to the attention of the nation when he scored 98 – a Test record for an No.11 – on debut.
However, he has not been seen since being dropped from the side following a heavy defeat by England in the second Test at Lord’s.
He now hopes his success with both bat and bowl can boost his chances of a Test recall.
“Once you get a taste of Test level you really want to get back there,” he said.
“It’s the nature of the game, one minute you could be flying, the next it can get pretty tough. “I’ll be doing my best to get back there.”
