Cricket

Wes Agar, the Australian fast bowler, has been forced to cut short his 2024 season with Kent County Cricket Club due to a shoulder injury. Agar sustained the injury during Kent's County Championship match against Worcestershire in May.Despite recovering enough to play against Essex at the end of June, Agar and Kent have mutually agreed that he will return to Australia to facilitate a full recovery. Agar was originally scheduled to stay at Canterbury until the end of July, playing in both the County Championship and the Vitality Blast. However, he will now depart without having featured in the latter this season.Kent have confirmed that Agar will return for the 2025 season on an all-format deal running from April to July, subject to regulatory approval. This news softens the blow of his early departure.Agar has taken 12 County Championship wickets at an average of 34.25 this season, adding to the 21 wickets he took at 28.33 during his first stint at the club in 2023. In 2023, he finished the campaign as Kent's joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Matt Quinn, despite playing only six matches."I'm thrilled to be coming back to my 'home away from home' again next year," Agar said in a statement. "I feel fully part of the Kent Cricket Family now. It's a great Club full of great people on and off the field, and the decision to sign on again for another English summer was an easy one to make. I can't wait to pull on that Kent shirt again and perform in front of our Members and supporters in 2025.""I'm gutted to be leaving the lads early this time, and I've absolutely loved my time in Canterbury this year. See you all in April!"Kent's Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said: "Wes is a talented multi-format cricketer and a very popular member of our dressing room. We're extremely pleased that he will be joining us again next Summer.""His ethos and work ethic are great to have around the place, and we're looking forward to him being an important part of our attack at the front end of our 2025 season. It's sad to see him leave early with his shoulder injury, but we know that he will come back with the same enthusiasm to perform at his best in a Kent shirt next year."Agar's recovery will focus on ensuring he can play a full part in South Australia's Sheffield Shield campaign. He will then turn out for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, having left Adelaide Strikers after eight seasons. Agar became the first player in the BBL to be traded as part of a pick exchange in the overseas draft.

Lancashire's batting woes continued unabated as Kent took complete control of their Vitality County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford. Nathan Gilchrist's career-best 6 for 24 and Wes Agar's 4 for 35 reduced Lancashire to a paltry 92 in their first innings.Kent's 169-run first-innings lead allowed skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond to enforce the follow-on. Lancashire's misery compounded as they lost three wickets for as many runs late in the day, finishing on 119 for 4, still 50 runs in arrears.Gilchrist and Agar exploited the cloudy conditions to wreak havoc on Lancashire's batting. Luke Wells, Josh Bohannon, Keaton Jennings, Tom Bruce, George Bell, George Balderson, and Tom Hartley all fell cheaply, leaving Lancashire reeling at 40 for 7.Matty Hurst's defiant 36 helped Lancashire avoid their lowest first-class score against Kent, but Gilchrist's fifth wicket ended their innings. In their second innings, Wells and Jennings showed some fight, but Gilchrist's brilliance continued as he dismissed both batsmen.Joey Evison's unbeaten 71 in Kent's first innings proved invaluable, as Lancashire's batting collapse handed Kent a commanding position. The visitors will be confident of securing victory on the final day, while Lancashire faces an uphill battle to salvage a draw.

Wes Agar, a seasoned left-arm spinner, has made history as the first player to be traded in the BBL's overseas draft. The move sees Agar depart the Adelaide Strikers, where he spent eight seasons, for the Sydney Thunder. In exchange, the Strikers have improved their draft position in the second round.Agar's departure from the Strikers marks a significant shift for the franchise. He was an integral part of their attack in previous seasons, particularly in 2020-21 when he claimed 22 wickets at an impressive average of 20.77. However, his playing time diminished last season, with Henry Thornton emerging as the preferred pace option and the Strikers opting for two legspinners.Despite his limited appearances, Agar remains highly regarded by Australian selectors. He was called up as squad cover for Australia's final T20I against West Indies in February. His move to the Thunder presents a fresh opportunity for the 27-year-old to showcase his skills.The Thunder, under the guidance of new General Manager Trent Copeland, are looking to bolster their attack after a disappointing season where they struggled to make an impact with the ball. Copeland expressed his excitement about Agar's arrival, describing him as "a proven performer in this format and one of the Big Bash's most likeable guys."The Strikers, while understanding Agar's desire for a change, are pleased to have improved their draft position. Interim General Manager Shaun Williams said, "We are pleased we were able to improve our draft position as part of this trade ahead of the BBL|14 draft later this year."The trade between the Strikers and Thunder highlights the evolving landscape of the BBL. As teams look to optimize their rosters, player movement is becoming increasingly common. Agar's move to Sydney is a testament to his talent and the Thunder's ambition to challenge for the title.