5 players who scored a century on Test debut but failed to go big

Test cricket format is a game of patience and as the name suggests, it tests a player’s mindset, skills and composure. There are several players in the cricketing world who managed to start their longest-format career with a bang but could not make it big in the format. On that note, let us look at such five players.

Dwayne Smith (West Indies)

The right-handed batter made his Test debut against South Africa in January 2004 and he played an excellent knock of 105* for his country. Dwayne Smith’s efforts with the bat ensured that the visitors and the home side settle for a draw in that match. However, Smith could not replicate his performance any further. He played ten matches for his country and scored 320 runs at an average of 24.62. Since his hundred in the debut match, Smith could not score any half-century or a hundred.

Hamish Rutherford (New Zealand)

New Zealand batter Hamish Rutherford played an excellent knock of 171 against England, during his debut match in March 2013. However, the left-handed batter never got going in the longest format of the game after that match. Rutherford has played 16 Test matches for his country. He had an average of 26.96 with only one fifty and one hundred.

Abul Hasan (Bangladesh)

Even though his side lost that match, the left-handed batter Abul Hasan played an excellent knock of 113 runs in his debut match against the West Indies in November 2012. The batter represented Bangladesh in three Test matches, in which he scored a total of 166 runs, including a lone century in his debut match.

Stiaan van Zyl (South Africa)

Stylish left-handed batter Stiaan van Zyl made his debut against West Indies in December 2014. His knock of 101* ensured that South Africa win that contest against the visitors. However, the left-handed batter could only make 395 runs in his 12 matches and got out on a duck on two instances. After the hundred in his debut match, van Zyl never managed to make an impact with the bat.

Ali Naqvi (Pakistan)

The right-handed batter Ali Naqvi played a valuable knock of 115 runs against the Proteas during his debut match in November 1997, However, that was the only major contribution he made with the bat in his Test career. The 45-year-old played at an average of 30.25 in nine innings and never scored any other century, apart from his debut game.