Ashton Agar
Ashton Agar celebrates his hat-trick with his teammates (Credits: Twitter)

Ashton Agar had a day to remember in the first T20I against South Africa as he became the first Australian to take a T20I hat-trick. The left-arm spinner finished the game with career-best figures of 5 for 24 as Australia thrashed the hosts by 107 runs to take the lead in the three-match series.

South Africa were reeling at 42 for 4 when Ashton Agar came to bowl his first over. And by the time his over ended, the Proteas were reeling at 44 for 7. Ashton Agar all but ended South Africa’s hopes when he had Faf du Plessis caught on the ropes on the fourth delivery before dismissing allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo for a golden duck on his next delivery.

He then had Dale Steyn caught at slip to complete his hat-trick. Remarkably, he came within a whisker of taking a second hat-trick for the night. Ashton Agar bowled Pite van Biljon to pick up a fourth wicket, before having Lungi Ngidi caught on his next delivery. The hat-trick ball squeezed between Tabraiz Shamsi’s bat and pad but just missed the off-stump.

Here is a clip of Ashton Agar’s hat-trick:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa5J6l1ZqM0

Earlier in the match, he had blasted an unbeaten 20 off nine to help Australia recover from a mini slump in the middle overs to finish on a strong 196 for 6. The performance has further enhanced Ashton Agar’s reputation who is fast establishing himself as an indispensable part of the T20I team.

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South Africa, nonetheless, were all out for just 89. Ever since Mitchell Starc castled their in-form captain Quinton de Kock for just 2 in the very second over, the hosts never looked in contention to chase down the total. Only three players managed to reach the double figures with du Plessis’ 24 being the highest score.

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