Western Australia spinner Ashton Agar showcased remarkable grit by batting one-handed against Victoria in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2024-25. After sustaining a shoulder injury the previous day, the 31-year-old defied expectations by stepping onto the field when his team was struggling at 310/9 in their second innings. Joining centurion Joel Curtis at the crease, Agar managed to stitch a 15-run partnership despite his visible discomfort and limited mobility.
His resilience earned widespread admiration, even though he faced a short stay at the crease. Ashton Agar’s brief five-ball innings was marked by a fierce welcome from Victoria’s bowlers, who showed no leniency despite his injury. A sharp bouncer struck him on the arm, and he endured further blows while attempting to fend off deliveries.
Ashton Agar managed to defend a few balls before Sam Elliott dismissed him. While his batting effort didn’t significantly alter the game’s outcome, his determination to support his team under such challenging circumstances was widely praised on social media. Victoria eventually secured an eight-wicket victory, marking a dominant performance throughout the match.
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Western Australia struggled with the bat in their first innings, collapsing for just 167 runs. Todd Murphy shone for Victoria, claiming four wickets and putting the hosts on the back foot. In response, Victoria amassed a commanding 373, firmly taking control of the game.
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Western Australia mounted a better fight in the second innings. Joel Curtis delivered a remarkable century, while Hilton Cartwright contributed 78 runs. However, Sam Elliott’s four-wicket haul ensured their total of 325 wasn’t enough to shift the momentum. Chasing 120 for victory, Victoria overcame an early scare at 19/2 with centuries from Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb, sealing the win comfortably.
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This victory propelled Victoria to the top of the Sheffield Shield points table, edging out Western Australia by a mere 0.1 points. Both teams have identical records so far, with two wins, one draw, and one loss each, setting up an exciting contest as the season progresses.