Players with a century in their country’s first-ever Test
Playing the first match in any format of the game is a special occasion for any team. The Test format is one of the ultimate and prominent formats in the sport of cricket and each side truly remembers its maiden appearance in the whites. In terms of individual performances, few cricketers have managed to reach the three-figure mark in their country’s first-Test ever and they feature in this article.
Let’s take a look at the Players who scored a hundred in their country’s inaugural Test:
Charles Bannerman (Australia)
The first-ever international match in the history of cricket was played between Australia and England when they participated in a Test in March 1877. Right-handed Aussie batter Charles Bannerman scripted history and became the first-ever player to hit a century in international cricket and also in his side’s inaugural match. Australia batted first in Melbourne and Bannerman struck 165 in 285 minutes with 18 fours. The Kangaroos won the contest by a margin of 45 runs.
Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe)
Former Zimbabwean Dave Houghton became the second player to smash a hundred in his nation’s first-ever Test. Skippering the side, right-handed batter Houghton achieved the feat by playing against India in Harare in 1992. Zimbabwe batted first and posted a mammoth total of 456 on the board. Houghton smashed 121 off 322 with the help of 15 fours as the match ended up in a draw.
Aminul Haque (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh’s inaugural game also came against the Indians in Dhaka in 2000. This time it was time for right-handed batter Aminul Haque to enter the history books as he slammed a solid hundred for his side. The Bangla Tigers batted first and got bundled out for a big total of 400. Aminul hammered 145 off 380 with the help of 17 fours. Though India won the contest, Bangladesh recorded history by appearing for the first time in Test cricket that too on home soil.
Kevin O’Brien (Ireland)
Ireland has played only three Test matches so far and their inaugural game came against the Asian giants Pakistan in Dublin (Malahide) in 2018. This time it was all-rounder Kevin O’Brien’s turn to appear in this elite list. The visitors batted first and declared their innings for 310/9. The Irish side got bundled out for a paltry 130 in their first innings. Following on, the hosts made 339 courtesy of a solid century from O’Brien. Batting at no. six, he struck 118 off 217 with 12 fours, however, Pakistan won the game.
