Scoring a century on a test debut is a huge achievement. It’s even more special for an opener because they face a lot of pressure. In Australian cricket, many players have worn the famous ‘Baggy Green,’ but only five openers have scored a century on their test debut.
Let’s look at these players who made history by achieving this rare feat
Charles Bannerman – The First Centurion in Test Cricket
Charles Bannerman made cricket history. He was the first player to score a century on a test debut. This happened in 1877 during the very first test match. Bannerman played against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He scored an unbeaten 165* in his first innings. This helped Australia win by 45 runs. Bannerman only played three tests, but his debut century is unforgettable.
Herbie Collins – A Century Leading to Big Victory
Herbie Collins became the second Australian opener to score a century on debut in 1920. He played against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Collins scored 70 runs in the first innings and 104 runs in the second innings. His efforts helped Australia win by a huge margin of 377 runs. Collins played 19 tests in total. His debut century marked the start of a great career.
Archie Jackson – A Century Full of Promise
At just 19 years old, Archie Jackson made his test debut against England in 1929. He scored 164 runs at the Adelaide Oval. He hit 15 boundaries during his innings. Despite his great knock, Australia lost the match by 12 runs. Jackson played only eight tests due to a short career, but his century on debut is still remembered as one of the best in Australian cricket.
Kepler Wessels – The Man of Two Nations
Kepler Wessels is famous for playing for both Australia and South Africa. Before representing South Africa, Wessels made his debut for Australia in 1982. He played against England in Brisbane. Wessels scored 162 runs in his first innings, helping Australia win. His century on debut earned him the Man of the Match award. Wessels played 24 tests for Australia, and his debut performance remains one of the best.
Wayne Phillips – A Century on Test Debut Against Pakistan
Wayne Phillips was the last Australian opener to score a century on debut. He played against Pakistan in 1983 at Perth. Phillips scored 159 runs in his first innings, leading Australia to a strong win by an innings and nine runs. His century on debut was a fantastic start to his career, though he played only 27 tests. Phillips is one of the five Australian openers to reach this rare milestone.
Conclusion
Scoring a century on a test debut is a special and rare achievement. Only five Australian openers have done this in cricket history. From Charles Bannerman’s historic century in the first-ever test match to Wayne Phillips’ strong debut against Pakistan, these players showed great skill and calmness. Scoring a century on debut as an opener helps the team and makes a lasting mark in cricket history.
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