Cricket is not just a sport, it’s an emotion for fans all over the world. It has a rich history and it is one of the most popular sports in the world, especially in countries like Australia, India, and England where it runs in the blood of every child.
Cricket is full of dramatic and iconic moments marked by legendary players and unforgettable performances, and it continues to rule the hearts of the audience to this day.
In this article, we will talk about the most impressive debutantes who came onto the pitch, played the innings of a lifetime, and delivered such exceptional performances that their names will forever be etched in history. Be prepared to be amazed by the stories of Charles Bannerman, R.E. Foster, Shikhar Dhawan, and Kyle Mayers, whose first steps in international cricket were nothing short of extraordinary.
Charles Bannerman in 1877
Charles Bannerman is more than just a cricketer, he’s a pioneer and an inspiration. Bannerman’s debut will forever be remembered as one of the most memorable ones because he debuted in the first-ever Test match ever played, in 1877 between Australia and England.
He faced the first ball and run in the Test history and managed to hit a century. He scored 165 not out becoming the first player to score a century in Test cricket and his score remained untouched for many years. His score remains the highest score in an innings by an Australian batsman on debut to this day.
R.E. Foster in 1903
Reginald Erskine Foster, popularly known as R.E. Foster or “Tip” made a remarkable debut in 1903 in a match against Australia. He represented England and scored a mind-boggling score of 287 runs setting a record for the highest score by a batsman on debut, a record that still stands today.
His double-century helped his team reach a total of 577 runs and his performance surpassed the previous record set by Charles Bannerman in 1877. His career was cut short due to an untimely death at the age of 45, nonetheless, his legacy remains and his unbreakable record still stands unbeaten.
Shikhar Dhawan in 2011
Shikhar Dhawan is an Indian batsman renowned for his explosive batting especially in his international T20I debut match against Australia in 2011. He scored an impressive 187 runs off 174 balls, with the century being made in just 85 balls with 33 fours.
He holds the record for the fastest century by a debutant in Test history to this day. He has also been a consistent performer in the ICC tournaments and became the fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in the ODIs. He owns seven centuries in Tests and 17 centuries in ODIs.
Kyle Mayers in 2021
Kyle Mayers is a West Indies all-rounder known for his left-handed batting. He made an iconic entry into Test cricket in 2021 against Bangladesh where he scored 210 not out.
His double century made him the first player to score a double century in the fourth innings of a Test match leading his team to a memorable victory. He has appeared in 18 Test matches yet and scored 949 runs with a batting average of 32.72.
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