Sammy's first-Test advantage

	Darren Sammy usually takes several wickets in his first Test against a particular team © AFP Enlarge
Related Links Best bowling average in debut matches against a team

India had better be wary of Darren Sammy in that first Test at Sabina Park next week. He has impressive bowling stats against teams he plays for the first time in Tests, but not so much thereafter. This week's List looks at how bowlers fared in terms of average in maiden outings against different teams.

Sammy has played only 13 Tests since making his debut in 2007 but they have been against six countries. In his first matches against each team, Sammy took a total of 24 wickets, which include three five-wicket hauls, at fewer than 18 apiece. He began with 8 for 98 against England, 1 for 35 in 11 overs against South Africa, 2 for 88 against Australia, 6 for 108 against Bangladesh, 0 for 55 against Sri Lanka and 7 for 45 most recently against Pakistan. His medium-pace inswingers may not seem threatening but numbers indicate otherwise. His career average, however, is nearly ten runs higher at 27.66.

The only West Indian ahead of Sammy in the table below is Curtly Ambrose, who claimed 34 wickets in first Tests against eight opponents at an average of 16.64. His career average was only 4.35 runs higher.

Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark had an impressive first Test against most teams. He had match figures of 9 for 89 on debut in Cape Town in 2006, 1 for 77 in Fatullah, 7 for 93 against England at the Gabba, 4 for 121 against Sri Lanka, 5 for 48 against India, 8 for 91 against West Indies and 6 for 89 against New Zealand. In all, he took 40 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 15.20. His returns in remaining games were not as prolific, though, 54 wickets in 17 Tests. He had a career average of 23.86 after 24 Tests, when Australia's selectors dropped him for good in 2008.

New Zealand's John Reid was a powerful batsman, predatory fielder, and a versatile bowler. He became a national selector, did some coaching in South Africa and served as an ICC Match Referee. A complete allrounder. As a bowler, though, Reid didn't make a strong first impression against the five countries he played. He went without a wicket in the first Tests against all of them. In fact, Reid didn't take a wicket in his first five Tests either, against England, West Indies and South Africa, even though he bowled 59 overs. He finally broke through in Auckland 1953, taking 2 for 76 in 35 overs against South Africa.

Joel Garner, with his relentless yorker delivered from the skies, was an exceptional ODI bowler. He took 146 wickets at an average of 18.84 and a strike-rate of 36.50. He also had an economy of 3.09. He went for more than five an over in only four out of 98 games. And in his first ODIs against each of his seven opponents, Garner took a total of 18 wickets at an average of 11.83. He took 3 for 27 against Pakistan, 3 for 29 against Australia, 1 for 42 against India, 2 for 45 against New Zealand, 5 for 38 against England (the best figures in a World Cup final), 2 for 13 against Zimbabwe, and 2 for 19 against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis, former mystery spinner, also had similar results when teams played him for the first time. He took 25 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 12.04, with a four-wicket haul against Pakistan and a best of 6 for 13 against India. Mendis has played 52 matches to date with 89 wickets at 19.56 apiece. His strike-rate is 27 and economy is 4.27. With those stats he'd be a certainty in any side, but not Sri Lanka. He's missed 22 of their last 38 ODIs.

Adam Huckle nearly didn't play for Zimbabwe, and only returned to his homeland after losing his place in a South African provincial side. He made his Test debut against New Zealand in Harare in September 1997 and took five wickets in the match. A one-day debut followed a month later but Huckle went wicketless against Bangladesh. It set a precedent for he was wicketless in his first games against all the eight teams he played against. He eventually ended his career with seven wickets in 19 matches at an average of 94.