Expectedly fantastic
Eleven players who lived up to the hype in their debut Test
Mathew Varghese and Siddarth Ravindran
31-Jul-2008
Ajantha Mendis' performance against India at the SSC - his 8 for 132 is the best for a Sri Lankan on debut - ensured he lived up to the hype ahead of his Test debut. We look at 11 other players who managed to keep their nerve and shine in their maiden Tests
| ||
Doug Walters
Australia v England, Brisbane, 1965
Several Australian batsmen - notably Norm O'Neill and Ian Craig - had struggled to live up to being tagged the "new Bradman". The mantle passed to Walters in the early 1960s; crowds warmed to the precocious, twinkle-toed country boy who was regularly blunting Sheffield Shield attacks across the nation. A golden domestic season in 1964-65, in which he was among the leading run-getters and wicket-takers, lifted Walters into the national side at the age of 19. It turned out to be a memorable debut, as he slammed 155 in difficult conditions in a rain-affected match.
Australia v England, Brisbane, 1965
Several Australian batsmen - notably Norm O'Neill and Ian Craig - had struggled to live up to being tagged the "new Bradman". The mantle passed to Walters in the early 1960s; crowds warmed to the precocious, twinkle-toed country boy who was regularly blunting Sheffield Shield attacks across the nation. A golden domestic season in 1964-65, in which he was among the leading run-getters and wicket-takers, lifted Walters into the national side at the age of 19. It turned out to be a memorable debut, as he slammed 155 in difficult conditions in a rain-affected match.
Michael Clarke
India v Australia, Bangalore, 2004
Compared to Walters for his similar style, Clarke was all but anointed Australia's next Test captain even before he'd worn a baggy green. Australian Test and state squads of the current era are notoriously tough to break into, but Clarke made his first-class debut for New South Wales as an 18-year-old. He was part of Australia's team for the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, but made just 72 runs in five innings. That did not, though, affect his billing as Australia's next big batting sensation and people flocked to Pura Cup matches to watch him play. He made his ODI debut in January 2003, and the following year - in October - came a memorable start against India in Bangalore: the 151 he made there remains his highest Test score.
India v Australia, Bangalore, 2004
Compared to Walters for his similar style, Clarke was all but anointed Australia's next Test captain even before he'd worn a baggy green. Australian Test and state squads of the current era are notoriously tough to break into, but Clarke made his first-class debut for New South Wales as an 18-year-old. He was part of Australia's team for the Under-19 World Cup in 2000, but made just 72 runs in five innings. That did not, though, affect his billing as Australia's next big batting sensation and people flocked to Pura Cup matches to watch him play. He made his ODI debut in January 2003, and the following year - in October - came a memorable start against India in Bangalore: the 151 he made there remains his highest Test score.
Javed Miandad
Pakistan v New Zealand, Lahore, 1976
Javed would play for Pakistan, Mushtaq Mohammad told Miandad's father after he watched the boy play at the Muslim Gymkhana in Karachi. Miandad was part of the national under-19 squad for tours to Sri Lanka (1973-74) and England (1974), and in 1973-74 he made his first-class debut. But the moment that put him in the spotlight was when he led Sindh to the national U-19 title. Miandad scored 135 and 235 not out in totals of 254 and 392 for 9 declared in the final, a feat that made Abdul Hafeez Kardar, the president of the Pakistan board at the time, call him "the find of the decade". Miandad made his ODI debut in the 1975 World Cup, and his Test debut came a little over a year after, following a century in a tour game against the visiting New Zealanders. Walking in at 55 for 4, a carefree Miandad made 163, the second century by a Pakistan debutant. He went on to become Pakistan's leading Test run-scorer.
Pakistan v New Zealand, Lahore, 1976
Javed would play for Pakistan, Mushtaq Mohammad told Miandad's father after he watched the boy play at the Muslim Gymkhana in Karachi. Miandad was part of the national under-19 squad for tours to Sri Lanka (1973-74) and England (1974), and in 1973-74 he made his first-class debut. But the moment that put him in the spotlight was when he led Sindh to the national U-19 title. Miandad scored 135 and 235 not out in totals of 254 and 392 for 9 declared in the final, a feat that made Abdul Hafeez Kardar, the president of the Pakistan board at the time, call him "the find of the decade". Miandad made his ODI debut in the 1975 World Cup, and his Test debut came a little over a year after, following a century in a tour game against the visiting New Zealanders. Walking in at 55 for 4, a carefree Miandad made 163, the second century by a Pakistan debutant. He went on to become Pakistan's leading Test run-scorer.
Munaf Patel
India v England, Mohali, 2006
Spotted in 2002 by former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, Munaf was quickly despatched to the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. Word about him being the quickest in India spread fast. "This bloke's quick, where did he come from?" was Steve Waugh's reaction on facing him. Gujarat and Baroda vied for him, but it was Mumbai that he first played for - apparently after Sachin Tendulkar showed interest. In 2004 he had a stint with the Australian Academy of Sport and then made it to the India A team. Munaf was drafted in for the second Test against England in March 2006 after he had sunk them with a ten-for in a tour game, and the 7 for 97 that followed remains the best by an Indian fast bowler on debut. Circa 2008, Munaf still remains in the reckoning for an India spot, and his pace still is the talking point - where some of it disappeared, that is.
India v England, Mohali, 2006
Spotted in 2002 by former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, Munaf was quickly despatched to the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. Word about him being the quickest in India spread fast. "This bloke's quick, where did he come from?" was Steve Waugh's reaction on facing him. Gujarat and Baroda vied for him, but it was Mumbai that he first played for - apparently after Sachin Tendulkar showed interest. In 2004 he had a stint with the Australian Academy of Sport and then made it to the India A team. Munaf was drafted in for the second Test against England in March 2006 after he had sunk them with a ten-for in a tour game, and the 7 for 97 that followed remains the best by an Indian fast bowler on debut. Circa 2008, Munaf still remains in the reckoning for an India spot, and his pace still is the talking point - where some of it disappeared, that is.
| ||
Ranjitsinhji
England v Australia, Old Trafford, 1896
Ranji's unorthodox, wristy batting may have captivated English crowds, but Wisden warned, "He can scarcely be pointed to as a safe model for young and aspiring batsmen." A glorious 1895 season, in which only WG Grace and Archie MacLaren outscored him, made him a contender for a place in the Test side. When his chance came in the second Test of the 1896 Ashes, Ranji was in prime form. His 62 and 154 weren't enough to prevent an Australian victory but it was the highlight of a year in which he rose "to the highest point of success and popular favour".
England v Australia, Old Trafford, 1896
Ranji's unorthodox, wristy batting may have captivated English crowds, but Wisden warned, "He can scarcely be pointed to as a safe model for young and aspiring batsmen." A glorious 1895 season, in which only WG Grace and Archie MacLaren outscored him, made him a contender for a place in the Test side. When his chance came in the second Test of the 1896 Ashes, Ranji was in prime form. His 62 and 154 weren't enough to prevent an Australian victory but it was the highlight of a year in which he rose "to the highest point of success and popular favour".
Mohammad Zahid
Pakistan v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, 1996
Successful stints with the Pakistan Under-19 and A teams, and - more importantly - a burgeoning reputation as one of the quickest bowlers in the world ensured Zahid was fast-tracked into the Test squad in 1996. On his debut, in the absence of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Zahid expertly spearheaded an inexperienced pace attack; his blistering pace fetched him 11 wickets and consigned New Zealand to an innings defeat. But just when it seemed that another star had rolled off Pakistan's conveyor belt of fast-bowling talent, Zahid suffered a back injury that ruled him out of cricket for two years, after which he struggled to make an impact.
Pakistan v New Zealand, Rawalpindi, 1996
Successful stints with the Pakistan Under-19 and A teams, and - more importantly - a burgeoning reputation as one of the quickest bowlers in the world ensured Zahid was fast-tracked into the Test squad in 1996. On his debut, in the absence of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Zahid expertly spearheaded an inexperienced pace attack; his blistering pace fetched him 11 wickets and consigned New Zealand to an innings defeat. But just when it seemed that another star had rolled off Pakistan's conveyor belt of fast-bowling talent, Zahid suffered a back injury that ruled him out of cricket for two years, after which he struggled to make an impact.
George Headley
West Indies v England, Barbados, 1930
In 1928, Headley was about to leave for the United States to study dentistry but some confusion over his papers delayed his departure. While waiting for them, he played a few matches against the visiting LH Tennyson's XI from England. A stunning double-century in one of them convinced Headley to give up dentistry and concentrate on his cricket. The runs continued to flow for him on the domestic circuit but it wasn't until England toured in 1930 that he got his first Test. Whereupon, against bowlers of the calibre of Wilfred Rhodes and Bill Voce, Headley made 176 in the second innings to wipe out England's hopes of a victory.
West Indies v England, Barbados, 1930
In 1928, Headley was about to leave for the United States to study dentistry but some confusion over his papers delayed his departure. While waiting for them, he played a few matches against the visiting LH Tennyson's XI from England. A stunning double-century in one of them convinced Headley to give up dentistry and concentrate on his cricket. The runs continued to flow for him on the domestic circuit but it wasn't until England toured in 1930 that he got his first Test. Whereupon, against bowlers of the calibre of Wilfred Rhodes and Bill Voce, Headley made 176 in the second innings to wipe out England's hopes of a victory.
Archie Jackson
Australia v England, 1929
It was a giddy ascent for Jackson. As a 16-year-old he topped the batting averages in Sydney grade cricket in the 1925-26 season and won a place in the New South Wales second XI. A string of stylish centuries in the Sheffield Shield the following season charmed the connoiseurs, who hailed him as the next Victor Trumper. Jackson was just 20 when he earned his baggy green and stroked a magnificent 164 in the 1928-29 Ashes, the series in which another brilliant New South Wales batsman, Donald Bradman, made his debut. A glorious future seemed in store, but sadly, tuberculosis claimed Jackson at the tender age of 23.
Australia v England, 1929
It was a giddy ascent for Jackson. As a 16-year-old he topped the batting averages in Sydney grade cricket in the 1925-26 season and won a place in the New South Wales second XI. A string of stylish centuries in the Sheffield Shield the following season charmed the connoiseurs, who hailed him as the next Victor Trumper. Jackson was just 20 when he earned his baggy green and stroked a magnificent 164 in the 1928-29 Ashes, the series in which another brilliant New South Wales batsman, Donald Bradman, made his debut. A glorious future seemed in store, but sadly, tuberculosis claimed Jackson at the tender age of 23.
Kepler Wessels
Australia v England, Brisbane, 1982
Wessels is among two players to have represented two countries in Tests since the 1970s. According to Wisden , Wessels, a South African by birth, was a schoolboy prodigy "mentioned in the same breath as Graeme Pollock for his free and uncomplicated style". With South Africa in sporting isolation, Wessels arrived at Sussex at 18, and by the time he was 21, emigrated to Australia, where he played in World Series Cricket and for Queensland. After four years he qualified to appear for Australia. His debut came in his adopted home, and Wessels drowned out the jibes about his nationality with a 162 against England. Wessels' Australia career lasted only three years, though. Nearly ten years later it was another historic debut, this time for South Africa, when he became their first Test captain since readmission.
Australia v England, Brisbane, 1982
Wessels is among two players to have represented two countries in Tests since the 1970s. According to Wisden , Wessels, a South African by birth, was a schoolboy prodigy "mentioned in the same breath as Graeme Pollock for his free and uncomplicated style". With South Africa in sporting isolation, Wessels arrived at Sussex at 18, and by the time he was 21, emigrated to Australia, where he played in World Series Cricket and for Queensland. After four years he qualified to appear for Australia. His debut came in his adopted home, and Wessels drowned out the jibes about his nationality with a 162 against England. Wessels' Australia career lasted only three years, though. Nearly ten years later it was another historic debut, this time for South Africa, when he became their first Test captain since readmission.
| ||
Tim Southee
New Zealand v England, Napier, 2008
At a time when New Zealand cricket have lost players, including strike bowler Shane Bond, to the Indian Cricket League, Tim Southee is a sign of what lies ahead. A tall right-arm swing bowler, Southee's first-class debut, for Northern Districts, came at 18, and he began to show promise in the 2007-08 season. Captain of New Zealand's under-19 side for the World Cup in Malaysia, he finished as the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker and took the honours for best player. Before that he had already featured, impressively, in two Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand. His Test debut followed within months, and his 5 for 55 in England's first innings, coupled with a blistering 77 not out, including nine sixes, made him the first New Zealander to justifiably be called a man to watch in the coming years.
New Zealand v England, Napier, 2008
At a time when New Zealand cricket have lost players, including strike bowler Shane Bond, to the Indian Cricket League, Tim Southee is a sign of what lies ahead. A tall right-arm swing bowler, Southee's first-class debut, for Northern Districts, came at 18, and he began to show promise in the 2007-08 season. Captain of New Zealand's under-19 side for the World Cup in Malaysia, he finished as the tournament's second-highest wicket-taker and took the honours for best player. Before that he had already featured, impressively, in two Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand. His Test debut followed within months, and his 5 for 55 in England's first innings, coupled with a blistering 77 not out, including nine sixes, made him the first New Zealander to justifiably be called a man to watch in the coming years.
Gordon Greenidge
India v West Indies, Bangalore, 1974
Greenidge spent the first dozen-odd years of his life in Barbados before his parents moved to England. A successful run at junior levels earned him a contract with Hampshire in 1968 - John Arlott was the man who signed him on the county's behalf. By 1972, Greenidge had qualified for England, and Christopher Martin-Jenkins said he was even approached to play for the country on Ray Illingworth's initiative. Greenidge had quite a reputation by the time he returned to the West Indies in 1973, and he was selected for the long tour to the subcontinent in 1974-75. A 93 - he was run out - and 107 in Bangalore marked a remarkable Test debut. At Hampshire, he opened the innings with Barry Richards, and for West Indies alongside Desmond Haynes, with whom he formed one of the most successful opening partnerships. Ironically, he reserved his finest efforts for England, against whom he scored seven of his 19 Test centuries.
India v West Indies, Bangalore, 1974
Greenidge spent the first dozen-odd years of his life in Barbados before his parents moved to England. A successful run at junior levels earned him a contract with Hampshire in 1968 - John Arlott was the man who signed him on the county's behalf. By 1972, Greenidge had qualified for England, and Christopher Martin-Jenkins said he was even approached to play for the country on Ray Illingworth's initiative. Greenidge had quite a reputation by the time he returned to the West Indies in 1973, and he was selected for the long tour to the subcontinent in 1974-75. A 93 - he was run out - and 107 in Bangalore marked a remarkable Test debut. At Hampshire, he opened the innings with Barry Richards, and for West Indies alongside Desmond Haynes, with whom he formed one of the most successful opening partnerships. Ironically, he reserved his finest efforts for England, against whom he scored seven of his 19 Test centuries.
Mathew Varghese and Siddarth Ravindran are editorial assistants at Cricinfo