British media stunned by `Agar the Horrible` historic Ashes debut

Sydney: Teenaged Australian hero Ashton Agar`s historic Ashes debut has stunned the British media, with one paper labeling him as `Agar the Horrible`.

The 19-year-old spinner is now the highest scoring last batsman in Test cricket after he knocked an astonishing 98 from 101 balls, to bring Australia back from an Ashes disaster, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. According to the report, Agar`s performance made headlines across London, although his heroics took the opposite tone in The Sun, whose lead online story had the headline `Agar the horrible: Oz kid blasts record`. In a similar tone with The Sun, the Independent appeared to dismiss Agar`s efforts, although the teenager`s performance also made the front page of the paper with a pointer reading `Ashton Who? 19-year-old saves Australia`. However, other papers were more generous, with the debutant making the front page of the Financial Times with a headline reading `Perfect timing: Australian teenager makes record Test debut`. The Star connected Agar`s performance with Jonathan Trott`s unfortunate dismissal in a story that took up the entire back page with a headline `Astonishing: Trott row after Agar magic`. Dubbing him `Agar the Incredible`, the Telegraph thought that the Australian`s performance was worthy of dominating their back page and also captured his dream performance in their main image. According to the report, underneath the picture of a smiling Agar, the caption in Telegraph read, `The Australian teenager reflects after his dismissal on 98 following a multi record breaking Innings at Trent Bridge`. Meanwhile, the Guardian`s sport coverage led with Agar`s historic batting performance, with the headline `Not bad for a beginner: Agar`s record breaking debut`, the report added. ANI