Year of the debutants
S Rajesh on the hot new debutants of 2001
S Rajesh
11-Nov-2005
2001 was the year of debutant batsmen. Apart from Lou Vincent, five others scored a hundred in their first Test.
Mohammad Ashraful
114 v SL, Asian Test Championship, SSC, Colombo
He walked in to bat with Bangladesh needing 384 runs to avoid an innings defeat, and proceeded to play Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan like a seasoned pro. At 17 years, 63 days, he became the youngest debutant to score a ton. His inspiration: dreaming about Brian Lara's 375 the night before.
114 v SL, Asian Test Championship, SSC, Colombo
He walked in to bat with Bangladesh needing 384 runs to avoid an innings defeat, and proceeded to play Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan like a seasoned pro. At 17 years, 63 days, he became the youngest debutant to score a ton. His inspiration: dreaming about Brian Lara's 375 the night before.
Taufeeq Umar
104 v Bang, Asian?Test Championship, Multan
Making a debut against Bangladesh would be any batsman's dream, but to Taufeeq's credit, he made good use of his opportunity. Opening the innings with Saeed Anwar, Taufeeq stroked his way to a handsome hundred.
104 v Bang, Asian?Test Championship, Multan
Making a debut against Bangladesh would be any batsman's dream, but to Taufeeq's credit, he made good use of his opportunity. Opening the innings with Saeed Anwar, Taufeeq stroked his way to a handsome hundred.
Hamilton Masakadza
119 v WI, 2nd Test, Harare
11 days short of his 18th birthday, Masakadza strode in to bat and played an innings which saved Zimbabwe the blushes. His schoolmates in the stands cheered and sang, his father danced a jig, and all of Zimbabwe celebrated.
119 v WI, 2nd Test, Harare
11 days short of his 18th birthday, Masakadza strode in to bat and played an innings which saved Zimbabwe the blushes. His schoolmates in the stands cheered and sang, his father danced a jig, and all of Zimbabwe celebrated.
Thilan Samaraweera
103* v India, 3rd Test, Colombo
A talented, mature allrounder, 24-year old Samaraweera took toll of a hapless Indian attack on a docile pitch to become the fourth centurion in the innings. He has continued in impressive fashion since, and has a Bradmanesque 99.66 average after five Tests.
103* v India, 3rd Test, Colombo
A talented, mature allrounder, 24-year old Samaraweera took toll of a hapless Indian attack on a docile pitch to become the fourth centurion in the innings. He has continued in impressive fashion since, and has a Bradmanesque 99.66 average after five Tests.
Virender Sehwag
105 v SA, 1st Test, Bloemfontein
Labelled a one-day specialist, Sehwag got into the Test team only on Sourav Ganguly's insistence. He didn't let his captain down, giving a wonderful exhibition of uninhibited strokeplay and solid defence to bail India out after they had lost four early wickets on a seaming track. It was an innings even Sachin Tendulkar would have been proud of.
105 v SA, 1st Test, Bloemfontein
Labelled a one-day specialist, Sehwag got into the Test team only on Sourav Ganguly's insistence. He didn't let his captain down, giving a wonderful exhibition of uninhibited strokeplay and solid defence to bail India out after they had lost four early wickets on a seaming track. It was an innings even Sachin Tendulkar would have been proud of.
S Rajesh is stats editor of ESPNcricinfo. @rajeshstats