List of batsmen to hit double hundred (200) on debut in test cricket

Only seven batsmen have notched up a double century on their debut in test cricket.

Calming nerves and handling pressure is an integral part of cricket. The combination of adrenaline rush, nervousness, unpredictability and tactical brilliance are the components which have highlighted the game’s uniqueness.

While players experience some sort of pressure in every game they play at the international level, there is no experience quite like the debut game. The self-doubt, uncertainty and the chance to earn a name and fame test the player’s ability to remain calm.

While our game is full of the folklore of individual brilliance, which guided their team to victories against all odds, there are few rare performances which deserve special mentions. In the 147-year-old history of test cricket, over hundreds of batsmen have scored centuries on their debut test, but the list of batsmen who have crossed the mark of double century is much shorter.

On that note, let’s look at the batsmen who hit a double hundred on their debut in test cricket.

List of batsmen to hit double hundred (200) on debut in test cricket:

1. Reginald Erskine Foster – 287 vs Australia, 1903, Sydney

Reginald Foster etched his name in test cricket’s record book in the year 1903 for his maiden innings of 287 runs. This historic feat happened in the first Ashes test at Sydney when Foster became the first batsman in history to score a double hundred on test debut.

Foster’s brilliance in the first innings laid the foundation for England’s massive score of 577. England went on to win the game by five wickets to lead the series 1-0.

2. Lawrence George Rowe – 214 vs New Zealand, 1972, Kingston

West Indies batsman Lawrence Rowe became the second player to register a double century on debut in test cricket when he played a tremendous innings of 214 in 1972 at Kingston.

What made Lawrence’s innings remarkable was the fact that it came almost seven decades after the previous such occurrence. The game ended in a draw with both sides posting massive totals in their first innings.

3. Brendon Priyantha Kuruppu – 201* vs New Zealand, 1987, Colombo

The first and so far only Sri Lankan to feature on this list is Brendon Priyantha Kuruppu. He achieved this feat when he scored 201* against New Zealand in 1987 at Colombo on his debut in test cricket.

Opening the batting, Kuruppu’s marathon innings saw him face 548 balls and bat for 777 minutes. Brendon’s excellence in the first innings saw Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 397. The game ended in a draw with New Zealand posting 406/5 in their first innings by the end of the match.

4. Mathew Sinclair – 214 vs West Indies, 1999, Wellington

In the second test of the West Indies tour of New Zealand in 1999, New Zealand’s Mathew Sinclair announced himself on the international stage with a sensational 214 in the first innings at Wellington. He became the first New Zealand batsman to record a double hundred on debut in test cricket.

Coming in at No. 3, Sinclair’s innings saw him present an exhibition of his outstanding off-side stroke play. Sinclair was instrumental in New Zealand’s massive first innings score of 518 runs.

West Indies were no match for the Black Caps as they were bundled out for 179 and 234 in their first and second innings respectively. New Zealand won the game by an innings and 105 runs and Sinclair was named Player of the Match.

5. Jacques Rudolph – 222* vs Bangladesh, 2003, Chattogram

Jacques Rudolph started his career in an emphatic fashion, scoring 222* against Bangladesh in 2003 at Chattogram. Having bowled out Bangladesh cheaply for 173 in the first innings, South Africa were looking to take advantage with the bat. Their first innings started in a scrappy manner with the Proteas losing both their openers at the score of 41.

Rudolph, who came in at number 3, was joined by Boeta Dippenaar and the duo put on a massive unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 429.

Rudolph’s innings laid the foundation for South Africa to take the lead of 297 runs, and they later bowled out Bangladesh for 237 to win the game by an innings and 60 runs. Rudolph was named Player of the Match.

6. Kyle Mayers – 210* vs Bangladesh, 2021, Chattogram

Kyle Mayers became the second West Indies batsman to notch up a double hundred on his debut in test cricket when he registered an unbeaten knock of 210* in Chattogram in 2021.

What makes this innings stand out from the rest is the fact that it came in the fourth innings of the match. Chasing a massive total of 395, the odds were against West Indies. Their poor start of 59/3 increased their troubles before Mayers steered the record run chase through individual brilliance.

Mayers and Nkrumah Bonner added 216 runs for the fourth wicket. West Indies won the game by three wickets and Mayers was named Player of the Match for his sensational double ton.

7. Devon Conway – 200 vs England, 2021, Lord’s

The second New Zealand player to achieve this milestone is Devon Conway. The fact that he achieved this feat at the “Home of Cricket” Lord’s makes it even more special.

It was a one-man show by Conway for New Zealand in the first innings as they failed to touch the 400-run mark even after Conway scored 200 runs. Conway’s stroke-making kept the English bowlers at the bay as he formed small partnerships to guide New Zealand to a respectable total.

The game ended in a dull draw with England finishing their second innings at 170/3 while chasing the target of 273. Conway was named Player of the Match.

(All stats updated till 18th October, 2024)

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