Australian Ashes and Test debutant Ashton Agar was reportedly inspired to make a incredible performance on the second day of the first Ashes Test by Steve Waugh's Ashes performance ten years ago.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Agar's favourite Ashes memory is recorded on a DVD called 'A Perfect Day', in which he frequently watches Waugh make a hundred off the last ball of the day against England at the SCG in the 2003 Ashes series.
Inspired to make Ashes history by Waugh's story, Agar, however, said that he had no reason to be disappointed at missing out on a century on debut, adding that he is happy to have a made an surprising 98 from 101 balls.
According to the teenage sensation, one of his favourite Ashes moments was Waugh hitting four runs off the last ball of the day to make his hundred, adding that although he would have been more happier if he had managed to score a ton, he is not disappointed and is satisfied at his score of 98.
However, the report said that Australia's last man felt no different walking out to bat for his first Test innings against England than he did for his club teams in Western Australia and Oxfordshire, adding that he is no ordinary No.11 as his previous exploits show, citing the half-century Agar made for Henley, the club he was sent to as part of Cricket Australia's exchange program with Hampshire.
Modest even after his performance, Agar explained that Australian coach Darren Lehmann had told him to bat in his natural style, like the other cricketers, adding that that is what he tried to do, with the report adding that his 'tries' completely changing the complexion of the first Test.
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Stating that he was lucky to have a partner in the form of Phillip Hughes, Agar praised Hughes, saying that Hughes is a good player and helped him through the game.
Unflustered by England's attack and oblivious to the fact he had taken down West Indies' Tino Best's world record for the highest score by a No.11, Agar is now determined to cause more problems for England captain Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen and take his first Test wicket.
Hoping to take five wickets as a compensation for missing his century, Agar also said that even though he is a bowling all-rounder, he was selected to take wickets for his side, adding that he is still hungry for the first wicket.
Australia can be thankful that Agar gave up Australian football in his formative years for being fat, reasons that are hard to believe looking at his tall, athletic frame, the report added.
