The Ashes 2013: Putting Ashton Agar's Heroic Performance in Context

On July 3, 1966, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tony Cloninger hit two grand slams and blasted nine RBIs to lead his team to a 17-3 win over the San Francisco Giants. He's the only pitcher in baseball history to hit two grand slams in one game. 

On Thursday, Ashton Agar pulled off a Cloninger-esque feat for Australia against England in the Ashes, making a remarkable 98 as a No. 11 batsman. 

From BBC Sport:

"

Australian teenager Ashton Agar broke the record for the highest score by a Test number 11 in the first Ashes Test against England at Trent Bridge.

The debutant left-arm spinner was out for 98, beating the previous top score of 95 made by West Indies' Tino Best against England at Edgbaston in 2012.

Agar and Phillip Hughes (81 not out) also surpassed the record Test partnership of 151 for the 10th wicket.

"

Despite making history, Agar actually looked distraught after finally ending his remarkable run, as he fell just short of the century (via BBC Sport):

Even the English fans were rooting for him by the end, as Paul Hayward of The Daily Telegraph noted:

Generally speaking, cricket teams are composed like baseball lineups—the weaker batters are pushed to the bottom of the order. So for Agar to have come this close to reaching a century is akin to a pitcher hitting two grand slams in a game. 

Of course, it may have all felt a bit hollow if his efforts were for naught. But on the contrary, he and Hughes gave Australia a first-inning lead of 65 runs. 

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Agar is probably good enough to bat higher in Australia's order than No. 11. So maybe this is more akin to Fernando Tatis hitting two grand slams in one inning against the Dodgers on April 23, 1999.

Yes, we're sticking with the grand slam theme, folks. 

Then again, Tatis raked in 34 home runs and 107 RBIs that season, so an outburst of power like his display against the Dodgers didn't completely come out of left field. 

Tired of grand slams? How about we turn to basketball?

On January 2, 2001, Tony Delk of the Phoenix Suns scored 53 points against the Sacramento Kings. His career average was 9.1 points per game. Unbelievably, the Suns lost the game, 121-117. Perhaps that's why the Suns didn't rely on Delk's scoring more often...

I think you get the point. What Agar did was historic, surprising and the sort of moment that had the opposing fans urging him on. It was the highlight of the Ashes thus far, and a display that cricket fans won't soon forget.