Western Australia spinner Ashton Agar batted one-handed after injuring his shoulder during a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Melbourne. The visitors were in a tough spot, having given up a significant first-innings lead, and held a slim 105-run advantage with just one wicket left in their second innings.
Despite his left hand being incapacitated by the earlier injury, Agar opted to come out as the final batter, joining centurion Joel Curtis at the crease. Agar’s time at the wicket was brief, lasting only five balls before he was dismissed by Sam Elliott in the 136th over.
However, his brief appearance allowed Western Australia to add 15 more runs, extending their lead to 120. Agar took hits to his body while facing bouncers from Xavier Crone and defended balls from Todd Murphy during his brief time at the crease. You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/1858332379934241248?s=46
Victoria comfortably chased down the target, thanks to half-centuries from Marcus Harris and captain Peter Handscomb. The hosts won by eight wickets, moving to the top of the table. Ashton Agar did not take the field or bowl in the final innings of the match.
Agar will now focus on recovering in time for Australia’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka
The left-arm spinner was not included in the squad for the home series against India, with Australia choosing the dependable Nathan Lyon as their sole spin option.
Although there is no update on the severity of his injury, Agar is targeting the Sri Lanka tour in early 2025, which will be Australia’s final assignment in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Agar had recently scored a half-century and taken four wickets in Western Australia’s commanding victory over Tasmania. His most recent appearance for Australia was during the 2024 T20 World Cup, when he replaced Mitchell Starc in the playing XI for the match against Afghanistan.
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