What a week this is turning out to be for young Ashton Agar, who has just reached 50 while batting at number 11. Applause ringing out around the ground. He is now the highest scoring number 11 on a Test debut. The applause from the ground hugely deserved.
He’s also the highest scoring batsmen this match… though that’s far less impressive.
201-9
The bell to sound the start of play was rung today by Nottinghamshire and England legend Derek Randall.
The batsman, now 62, was capped 47 times in Tests and 49 in One Day Internationals for England. Today he met with former players and Notts members in front of the Pavilion prior to the event, signing autographs and sharing stories of his great victory in the 1977 Ashes.
Despite being at No.11, Agar has played with all the power and skill of a middle-order batsmen. The defecit is now just 58 and with this partnership already on 40, Hughes with 35 and Agar 25, who knows what the lunchtime score could be. Australia head into the final 20 minutes of the session with the score on 158-9.
Sam Sheringham, BBC Sport
“The Australian fans in the New Stand had been lapping things up this morning, rising to their feet in unison and cheering every run. Not surprisingly, that quick bang-bang of wickets has somewhat dampened their spirits.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/232617
Sky Sports Commentary
“This is insane. For 35 minutes, nothing remotely encouraging happened for England. Ten minutes later, three Australian wickets have fallen. Hint of reverse here, and Siddle edges low to the right of Prior, who takes a smart one-handed catch.”
http://www1.skysports.com/live-scores/cricket/england-v-australia/13628/commentary
Malcolm Conn, Herald Sun Melbourne
Paranoia and confusion surrounds Shane Watsons latest breakdown, which may force Cricket Australia to reconsider sending David Warner on the Australia A tour of southern Africa.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/paranoia-and-confusion-surrounds-shane-watson-injury-in-first-ashes-test-at-trent-bridge/story-fni2usfi-1226677871155
After a run of five wickets in 32 balls, England are in firm control just before lunch on the second day. Hughes is unmoved on 26 but he has ran out of partners with just debutant Agar at the other end. With Anderson controlling the ball like only he can, there is not much hope for the Aussies of holding out much longer, never mind until lunch.
Pattinson goes to chants of “Cheerio, cheerio” after a review that just proved how plumb LBW he was. Ashton Agar comes to the crease to try and stop the onslaught but with Anderson (5-41) and Swann (2-18) on fire, it will be hard to add any more runs without a few scares along the way. The last five wickets have fell inside just 32 balls and Swann has two left-handers at the crease to toy with.
