Watch: 'Batting with one hand': Australian batter defy odds to help his side

Veteran Australian player Ashton Agar made headlines with his dedication towards his team. With his side struggling at 310-9, Agar came out to bat at No.11 where he was struggling to hold the bat with his bottom hand due to an Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint injury to his left shoulder as well. Despite this, Agar batted bravely and added 15 more runs to the total with centurion Joel Curtis (119*).

However, he took two blows on his hips, played a forward defence to Todd Murphy and even ducked out a bouncer too. Agar was eventually bowled by a full delivery from speedster Sam Elliot (4-47) as he struggled to get his bat down on time as well.

Ashton Agar batted bravely

“Even the way he’s walking out here, Agar — his arm was in a sling yesterday. And you can see that left arm, the way he’s holding it, that’s not ideal,” Adam White said on commentary. “Just the way he’s holding his arm, it’s borderline dangerous that he’s actually out there. This is extraordinary.”

Brave stuff by Ashton Agar who batted one-handed due to a shoulder injury to add 15 runs for the 10th wicket 💪 #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/WZQ3pqw9qZ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 18, 2024

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However, Victoria were set a target of 120. Off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli left the chasing team reduced at 19-2 to give WA a slender chance. Marcus Harris (56*) and captain Peter Handscomb (56*) chased down the total in 23.2 overs without further hiccups as well. Curtis remained unbeaten for 119 runs from 239 balls, a stunning knock that included 16 fours and one six.

Corey Rocchiccioli became the second WA bowler to pick up a first-class hat-trick

However, before scoring 36 in the first innings, the star left-hander had just one first-class run to his name after being dismissed for a first-ball duck and one run in his first two appearances as well. Seamer Fergus O’Neill finished with 4-56, with veteran spinner Murphy (1-87) and Xavier Crone (1-70) doing well with the ball.

In Victoria’s innings, spinner Corey Rocchiccioli became the second WA bowler to pick up a first-class hat-trick. Rocchiccioli claimed the last wicket of Victoria’s first innings. However, despite the rare hat-trick, Victoria faced a crushing eight-wicket win.

With the hosts chasing 120 for victory on the final day, former Test batters Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb added an unbroken 103-run third-wicket stand after the early hiccups. Harris and Handscomb both finished unbeaten on 56 as well.