Test match cricket: the highest level of the sport.
For many cricketers this is an unreachable level, for others it can take many years before they start to flourish in this rarefied environment. But, for a select few, a test match debut can provide a memorable success, a personal triumph, and a great platform to build on. The top five test match batting debuts are listed below.
Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji – 216 runs
This Indian prince made his test debut for England in 1896, when test matches consisted of three days play, in a match that what would ultimately end in defeat. Australia batted first and amassed a total of 412.
England hit back with a reply of 231, of which Ranjitsinhji, or Ranji as he was commonly known, made a steady 62. England were then forced to follow on and this is where he made his landmark century, scoring 154 runs, over half of England's second innings total, as they reached 305. Sadly for Ranji, Australia reached their target and won by 3 wickets - quite the bittersweet debut.
Jacques Rudolph – 222 runs
The week before his 22nd birthday, a promising South African was handed his debut in the first test of the Bangladesh tour of 2003. As the newest test nation, Bangladesh struggled somewhat in their first innings, making a mere 173. The South African first innings was vastly different thanks to a young man by the name of Jacques Rudolph.
Entering the fray at 38 for 1, the pressure was on but Rudolph responded magnificently, especially after the score moved to 41 for 2. However, Boeta Dippenaar then came to the crease and the pair built up a mammoth 3rd wicket stand of 429, of which Rudolph contributed 222. South Africa declared on 470 and Bangladesh struggled in their 2nd innings, resulting in a South African victory by an innings and 60 runs.
Yasir Hameed – 275 runs
In 2003, Bangladesh were the victims of an outstanding test debut for the second time. On this occasion it was Yasir Hameed of Pakistan who helped put them to the sword.
Hameed hailed from Peshawar and was a relatively old 25 years of age when he made his debut. He came in at number three for Pakistan as they replied to the Bangladeshi first innings total of 274, and immediately showed his class, hitting 170 runs, coming in with the score at 5 for 1. The second innings also saw Hameed hit a century, striking 105 on the way to a Pakistan victory by 7 wickets.
Reginald Foster – 306 runs
1903, Sydney, the first Ashes Test and a young man by the name of Reginald Foster from Worcestershire struck, what remains to this day, the highest single innings score by a debutant. Chasing the Australians' 285 first innings score, Foster managed to hit 287 on his own as England made 577. Foster only managed 19 in the second innings but still helped England to a five-wicket victory.
Lawrence Rowe – 314 runs
The most successful test debut of all time came from the bat of Lawrence Rowe in the first match of the West Indies versus South Africa series in 1972. Rowe was a very talented batsman from Kingston and this is where his memorable debut took place. A first innings total of 214, followed by a second innings total of 100 not out, put the West Indies in a commanding position. Though New Zealand batted out the final day to secure a draw with four wickets to spare, Rowe’s combined total of 314 remains the highest aggregate score by a debutant in history.
While some of the game’s greats have endured rather inauspicious starts to their test match careers, and not all of those listed above managed to continue in the same successful vein, the debut appearance is a memory that endures for all. And for these five it was a moment to savour.
This article is brought to you by Keith Prowse, specialist providers of corporate hospitality at cricketing events. Visit their website for Edgbaston, Lord's and Oval tickets.
For many cricketers this is an unreachable level, for others it can take many years before they start to flourish in this rarefied environment. But, for a select few, a test match debut can provide a memorable success, a personal triumph, and a great platform to build on. The top five test match batting debuts are listed below.
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| Image courtesy of Rikx - http://www.flickr.com/photos/95438214@N00/ |
Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji – 216 runs
This Indian prince made his test debut for England in 1896, when test matches consisted of three days play, in a match that what would ultimately end in defeat. Australia batted first and amassed a total of 412.
England hit back with a reply of 231, of which Ranjitsinhji, or Ranji as he was commonly known, made a steady 62. England were then forced to follow on and this is where he made his landmark century, scoring 154 runs, over half of England's second innings total, as they reached 305. Sadly for Ranji, Australia reached their target and won by 3 wickets - quite the bittersweet debut.
Jacques Rudolph – 222 runs
The week before his 22nd birthday, a promising South African was handed his debut in the first test of the Bangladesh tour of 2003. As the newest test nation, Bangladesh struggled somewhat in their first innings, making a mere 173. The South African first innings was vastly different thanks to a young man by the name of Jacques Rudolph.
Entering the fray at 38 for 1, the pressure was on but Rudolph responded magnificently, especially after the score moved to 41 for 2. However, Boeta Dippenaar then came to the crease and the pair built up a mammoth 3rd wicket stand of 429, of which Rudolph contributed 222. South Africa declared on 470 and Bangladesh struggled in their 2nd innings, resulting in a South African victory by an innings and 60 runs.
Yasir Hameed – 275 runs
In 2003, Bangladesh were the victims of an outstanding test debut for the second time. On this occasion it was Yasir Hameed of Pakistan who helped put them to the sword.
Hameed hailed from Peshawar and was a relatively old 25 years of age when he made his debut. He came in at number three for Pakistan as they replied to the Bangladeshi first innings total of 274, and immediately showed his class, hitting 170 runs, coming in with the score at 5 for 1. The second innings also saw Hameed hit a century, striking 105 on the way to a Pakistan victory by 7 wickets.
Reginald Foster – 306 runs
1903, Sydney, the first Ashes Test and a young man by the name of Reginald Foster from Worcestershire struck, what remains to this day, the highest single innings score by a debutant. Chasing the Australians' 285 first innings score, Foster managed to hit 287 on his own as England made 577. Foster only managed 19 in the second innings but still helped England to a five-wicket victory.
Lawrence Rowe – 314 runs
The most successful test debut of all time came from the bat of Lawrence Rowe in the first match of the West Indies versus South Africa series in 1972. Rowe was a very talented batsman from Kingston and this is where his memorable debut took place. A first innings total of 214, followed by a second innings total of 100 not out, put the West Indies in a commanding position. Though New Zealand batted out the final day to secure a draw with four wickets to spare, Rowe’s combined total of 314 remains the highest aggregate score by a debutant in history.
While some of the game’s greats have endured rather inauspicious starts to their test match careers, and not all of those listed above managed to continue in the same successful vein, the debut appearance is a memory that endures for all. And for these five it was a moment to savour.
This article is brought to you by Keith Prowse, specialist providers of corporate hospitality at cricketing events. Visit their website for Edgbaston, Lord's and Oval tickets.
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