Watch: Ashton Agar Struggles To Find The Ball Under Empty Seats At SCG
The Australia and New Zealand players must have missed the fans a lot on Friday when they played the first ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The series is being played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. The absence of the spectators not only took some shine off the game but also forced the players to do things they likely haven’t done in years.
When sixes flew into the stands, it was the fielders who were forced to climb the advertising hoardings to fetch the ball. Lockie Ferguson went on the hunt in the first innings before Ashton Agar had to do the same in the second after Steve Smith was smashed for six.
And while Ferguson found the ball easily, Ashton Agar had to work hard for the ball. The ball remained lost for an extended period before it was eventually found and play could resume. Ashton Agar was also accompanied by a ground staff as the two searched for the ball under hundreds of empty seats.
Here is a clip of Ashton Agar Struggling To Find The Ball Under Empty Seats At SCG
Like a needle in a haystack#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/T6A29tKaYj
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 13, 2020
Australia thrashed New Zealand by 71 runs to end their five-match losing streak. Australia’s middle-order once again failed to do well but the bowlers came up with a fine show to give the team the lead in the three-match series. Australia finished their innings on 258 for 7 with David Warner, Aaron Finch and Marnus Labuschagne scoring fifties.
Warner and Finch added 124 runs for the first wicket. But when both openers fell in the space of five overs, Australia’s line-up could not cut loose against a disciplined Blacks Caps bowling unit. Labuschagne then scored a fighting fifty to power the hosts to above 250.
But New Zealand could never challenge the modest total as they lost regular wickets and were eventually all out for 187.
