Double on debut: All seven batsmen to score a double century on their Test debut
New Zealand’s Devon Conway earned a place in cricket’s history with his magnificent double century against England in the first Test at Lord’s. Conway was the last man to be dismissed in New Zealand’s first innings. He was run out on the score of 200. The Blackcaps batsman became only the seventh in Test cricket to score 200 or more runs in an innings on Test debut. Here’s the complete list.
1. Reginald E Foster – 287
R E Foster, also known as Tip Foster, was the first batsman to score a double century on Test debut. The English batsman achieved this feat way back in 1903. Astonishingly the record for the highest individual score on Test debut still belongs to Foster. He scored 287 against Australia in Sydney and England won the Test by five wickets.
2. Lawrence Rowe – 214
West Indian batsman Lawrence Rowe struck a double century on his Test debut against New Zealand in Kingston, Jamaica back in 1972. He did not stop at it. Rowe added another ton to his tally with a score of 100 in the second innings. New Zealand fought hard enough to secure a draw.
3. Brendon Kuruppu – 201*
The Sri Lankan debutant consumed 548 deliveries and spent 777 minutes at the crease to get to his maiden double ton. In 1987, Sri Lanka were still finding their feet in Test cricket and this marathon knock of Kuruppu helped them secure a draw against New Zealand. This Test in Colombo witnessed only two innings and 14 wickets in total.
4. Matthew Sinclair – 214
New Zealand faced West Indies in Wellington during their 1999-2000 tour. In the second Test, debutant Sinclair shined brightly with a score of 214 on his Test debut. This turned out to be New Zealand’s only innings in this Test as West Indies succumbed to an innings defeat. New Zealand also pocketed the two-match Test series with the scoreline reading 2-0.
5. Jacques Rudolph – 222*
South Africa – Bangladesh Test match is a mismatch, but the difference between these two teams was even greater in 2003. Bangladesh were just easing their way in the toughest format of the game. Rudolph made the most of his opportunity with a knock of 222* on debut. South Africa declared their innings on 470/2. They won the Test by an innings and 60 runs.
6. Kyle Mayers – 210*
17 years later, Bangladesh became a solid side, at least in home conditions. When West Indies toured the subcontinental nation, Bangladesh were expected to overpower them. In the first Test, Kyle Mayers played a miraculous knock to take the home side down. Asked to chase 395, West Indies were 59/3. Mayers saw the side home with his exceptional double century.
7. Devon Conway – 200
After making a sensational start to his international career in the other two formats, South Africa-born Devon Conway was eager to make a mark in Test cricket. He did way more than that. The Blackcaps opener thwarted England’s world-class pace attack at Lord’s to celebrate a sensational double century. After Sinclair, he became only the second New Zealander to achieve this feat.
