Ashton Agar
Ashton Agar - Australian Bowler
Ashton Agar is an Australian left-arm spin bowler who pulled off one of the most eye-catching debut innings in the history of Test cricket, smashing a sensational 98 runs from the No.11 position in a match against England.
Ashton Agar: Playing Career
Although the 2011/12 season did little to boost his reputation, Ashton Agar unexpectedly found himself at a crossroads when both Victoria and Western Australia approached him with contract offers. He ultimately chose to continue his career in Western Australia, a decision that quickly paid dividends. A series of eye-catching performances early in his stint with the side put him firmly on the radar of national selectors, earning him a call-up to Australia’s squad for the 2012-13 tour of India.
The year 2013 marked a defining chapter in Agar’s career. His rapid rise drew intense media scrutiny and established him as one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the country. That surge in attention was sparked by a remarkable debut in the opening Test of The Ashes against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Batting at number eleven, Agar stunned the cricketing world with a score of 98 – the highest total ever recorded by a last-man batsman in Test history, a record that remains intact.
However, the initial excitement surrounding his emergence soon faded. A loss of form prevented Agar from securing a long-term spot in the Test side, though he continued to feature on extended squad lists. During the 2015-16 season, his opportunities were largely confined to domestic List A cricket. Over time, he managed to break into Australia’s limited-overs setups, making appearances in both One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.
In 2017, Agar was granted another chance at Test level. Despite delivering strong personal performances in a match against Bangladesh, the return proved bittersweet, as Australia suffered a historic first-ever Test defeat to the hosts. The following spring brought renewed stability when Agar signed a full-season contract with Cricket Australia, allowing him to steadily rebuild his standing within the national structure. One of the highlights of this resurgence came in February 2020, when he etched his name into the record books by becoming just the second Australian to take a T20I hat-trick, achieving the feat against South Africa.
As for his club and franchise career, Agar has featured for the following teams:
- Western Australia (from 2012);
- Perth Scorchers (since 2013);
- Middlesex (2018);
- Warwickshire (2019);
- Northamptonshire (2024).
After 2024, Ashton Agar continued playing for Perth Scorchers and Western Australia, while also retaining his spot in the Australian national setup (latest Test – January 2023, latest ODI – September 2023, latest T20I – June 2024). He also returned to the Northamptonshire Steelbacks to take part in the 2025 Vitality Blast.
Ashton Agar: Personal Life and Interesting Facts
Details of Agar’s personal life are rarely shared in official press releases, but it is known for certain that he is married to fashion designer Madeleine Hay. To make up for the lack of personal info, here are a few interesting facts about Ashton Agar:
- Ashton Agar’s nickname is “Larry”;
- His younger brothers, Wes and Will, are also professional cricketers;
- With Sri Lankan roots, Agar boasts impressive physical attributes, standing at 188 cm tall;
- He is an active user of social media: Twitter (X) – @agar_ashton; Facebook – @officialashtonagar; Instagram – @aagar1;
- His hobbies include fishing and listening to music.
To wrap things up, here’s a summary table featuring key statistical data on this, without exaggeration, outstanding athlete.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl | Catches |
| Test | 5 | 195 | 32.50 | 98 | 1 006 | 9 | 52.00 | 2/82 | 7 |
| ODI | 22 | 322 | 24.76 | 41 | 1 098 | 21 | 45.62 | 6/35 | 28 |
| T20I | 49 | 279 | 11.62 | 33 | 1 042 | 49 | 23.04 | 4/22 | 19 |
| T20s | 176 | 1 408 | 16.76 | 68 | 3 378 | 137 | 29.60 | 6/30 | – |
| List A | 82 | 1 152 | 23.51 | 64 | 4 003 | 95 | 36.00 | – | – |
