Home debuts make for more successful cricketers

Cricketers playing their first Test or series at home are likely to have better results and more successful careers than those debuting away. Read this article in the Economist for more.

A strong debut seems to lead to a shinier career. Every additional ten runs scored in a debut series adds an extra five runs to a player’s career average. The effects of initial success are similar for bowlers. One possibility is that a good start builds confidence and experience that boosts future performance. A bad start, in contrast, is not easily forgiven: selectors appear to discard potentially high-ability players who had the misfortune to debut abroad.