Cricketing history has seen numerous bowlers, who have bowled inspirational spells and brought their team back in the contest. Some of them have done this on a consistent basis and thus, scalped plenty of wickets in their career so far. It was indeed their debut which was a stepping stone to their success ahead. In the below piece,
we look at 5 such bowlers, who picked a fifer on their Test debut and helped their team big time:
1. Josh Hazlewood
A crucial member of the Australian pace trio which is ruling Test cricket at the moment, Hazlewood turned heads in his debut game itself. It was during the 2nd Test of 2014-15 India’s tour of Australia. The visitors had won the toss and chose to bat first at the historic ground of Gabba, Brisbane.
India managed to post 408 on the board, owing to a superb knock of 144 by Vijay and 81 by Rahane. For the hosts, debutant Hazlewood hogged the limelight with figures of 23.2-6-68-5 which was indeed a testament to his future credentials as the leader of the pack.
The wicket was suitable for batting and thus, even the hosts made merry piling up runs in their first innings. They posted 505 on the back of a Smith 133 and Johnson 88. In return, India was skittled out for 224, who could reach there owing to brilliant innings of 81 by Dhawan. Hazlewood yet again showed his brilliance, scalping 2 wickets for 74.
It was Australia’s match to win, and they did that with aplomb, despite the loss of 6 crucial wickets. They went 2-0 up in the series and found a real gem in the form of a young Hazlewood, who has proven himself to be the torch-bearer of their pace legacy in debut.
2. Dominic Cork
Former England pacer, Cork achieved the feat during the 2nd Test of the West Indies tour of England in 1995. The home team had won the toss and chose to bat first at a bowling friendly Lord’s wicket.
England managed to post 283 on the board courtesy of a fifty by Smith and a crucial 30 by Cork. Walsh was the pick of the bowlers for the Windies with figures of 3-50. It was now time for the visitors to make the most of the procured momentum.
The tourists needed 296 in their second innings to win the encounter and in what turned out to be a drastic change of fortunes, England managed to bundle out the opposition for 223, winning the contest by 72 runs. Debutant Cork picked his first fifer to end the innings with figures of 19.3-5-43-7, earning him his deserving MOM award.
3. Mohammad Shami
India’s leading pacer in the Test arena in recent times, Shami achieved the landmark during the 1st Test of the West Indies tour of India in 2013. The match was played at Shami’s home ground i.e. Eden Gardens and the series overall had a special significance attached to it, given it was the farewell series for the master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar.
Indies who batted first, posted just 234 on the board on the back of a solid 65 by Samuels. Debutant Shami showed no signs of nervousness and worked his magic, being the pick of the bowler with figures of 4-71.
In reply, India got to a commanding total of 453, owing to a mesmerizing 177 by Rohit and anchoring 124 by Ashwin. Off-spinner Shillingford did the damage for the visitors with figures of 6-167. Given the importance of the series, Indies were expected to put up a fight in the second innings.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as they collapsed for a paltry score of 168 handing India a victory by an innings and 51 runs. Shami went one-level up this time around as he notched up his maiden fifer to end the innings with 5-47 and bestowed Tendulkar a priceless gift to be remembered for ages in his debut.
4. Colin de Grandhomme
The Kiwi all-rounder made his way into the reputed list during the 1st Test of Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand in 2016. The home country had won the toss and chose to bowl first, with the sole aim of exploiting the conditions that were on offer early on.
The decision taken proved to be a fruitful one as the visitors were rattled for a mere 133 owing to a fabulous bowling show by Grandhomme, who picked 6 for 41. In reply, the Kiwis managed a satisfactory 200 on the board, courtesy of an excellent fifty by opener Raval. Rahat Ali was the chief destructor for Pakistan with 4-62.
The pitch had considerably eased for batting and thus, the hosts chased the target down with 8 wickets in hand. Williamson was the top-scorer for the Kiwis with a steady 61, well-supported by Raval, who remained unbeaten at 36.
5. Bilal Asif
The quality off-spinner achieved the feat during the 1st Test of Australia’s tour of Pakistan in 2018. Having won the crucial toss, Pakistan chose to bat first and posted a mammoth 482 on the board in the first innings. The experienced opener, Hafeez top-scored with a remarkable 126 and was well succoured by fellow southpaw, Sohail, who blasted a vital 110.
Weakened by the absence of Smith and Warner, Australia were demolished for a mere 202 which came predominantly on the back of a fighting 85 by Khawaja. Debutant Asif announced himself to the big stage with figures of 6-36 while the rest 4 went to seamer Abbas.
Pakistan was on their way to victory but unfortunately couldn’t cross the line owing to a gritty 141 by Khawaja and captain’s knock of 61 by Paine, who remained not out to save the important Test. Yasir Shah was the magician this time around as he picked 4 for 114 while Abbas scalped 3 for 56 to end the happy but unaccomplished outing for Pakistan.
