Australia spinner Ashton Agar bagged a hattrick against South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series in Johannesburg. Agar’s scalps included an important wicket of former captain Faf du Plessis who was caught out by Kane Richardson.
The left-arm spinner then trapped Andile Phehlukwayo in front of the stumps for a golden duck and later removed Dale Steyn who was caught by Aaron Finch at the first slip after miscuing a cover drive. Later, he also completed his five-wicket haul.
He became only the second Australian after Brett Lee to achieve the feat.
Hat-trick for Ashton Agar!
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 21, 2020
7.4 — du Plessis c K Richardson b Agar 24(22)
7.5 — Phehlukwayo lbw b Agar 0(1)
7.6 — Steyn c Finch b Agar 0(1)#SAvAUS
Earlier, after batting first, Australia put up a total of 196/6 in 20 overs. captain Aaron Finch and Steve Smith stitched an 80-run stand for the second wicket. Finch scored 42 while Smith struck 45 before the two got out to Tabraiz Shamsi.
Later, a quick-fire 27 off 22 from Alex Carey and brisk 20* off 9 from Agar helped Australia notch up a big total.
South Africa had a bad start to the chase after losing captain Quinton de Kock with just 2 on the board. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals and the Proteas were eventually reduced to 44/7 in the 197-run chase.
Fast bowler Brett Lee was the first one to pick a hattrick in T20Is. He achieved the milestone against Bangladesh in 2007 in Cape Town after scalping Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, and Alok Kapali. Agar is the 13th bowler to pick a hattrick in T20Is.
