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10 oldest Test debutants since 2000
Test cricket has been rather kind to “elderly” debutants over the last month. Adam Voges announced himself with a century, while Luke Ronchi scored a blistering half-century that turned the tide in New Zealand’s favour.
Test cricket has been rather kind to “elderly” debutants over the last month. Adam Voges announced himself with a century, while Luke Ronchi scored a blistering half-century that turned the tide in New Zealand’s favour. Shiamak Unwalla looks at the 10 oldest Test debutants this century.
1. Bryce McGain (Australia): 36 years, 359 days
Making his debut less than a week shy of his 37th birthday, leg-spinner Bryce McGain unfortunately appeared in only one Test, against South Africa in 2008-09. He suffered the worst debut imaginable, going for 149 runs in 18 overs and scoring 2 and 0.
2. Shaun Udal (England): 36 years, 239 days
Though Udal made his One-Day International (ODI) debut at a relatively early age, he played his first Test only a decade later, aged 36 years and 239 days, against Pakistan at Multan in November 2005. He took a single wicket on debut against Pakistan, and went on to play only four Tests in his career.
3. Adam Voges (Australia): 35 years, 242 days
As poor a debut as McGain suffered, Voges’ was that successful. He has thus far played only two Tests, both against West Indies in June 2015. He scored 130 not out on debut, rescuing Australia from 178 for eight to take them to 318 as Australia won by nine wickets.
4. Enamul Haque (Bangladesh): 35, years 58
One of Bangladesh’s bevy of left-arm spinners, Enamul “Moni” Haque played 10 Tests 2001 and 2003, though his ODI career was a decade long. He took two for 98 and one for eight on Test debut, against Zimbabwe in April 2001.
5. Zulfiqar Babar (Pakistan): 34, years 330 days
Though he made a late debut, Zulfiqar established himself in Pakistan’s Test side since his debut in 2013. Playing his first match against South Africa atUnited Arab Emirates (UAE) in October 2013, he took three for 89 and two for 51. He and Yasir Shah have formed a potent duo in recent times.
6. Luke Ronchi (New Zealand): 34 years, 36 days
Though he made his international debut for Australia, Ronchi shifted back to his native New Zealand once he crossed the wrong side of 30. Looked at primarily as an ODI and T20 specialist, Ronchi finally got his chance after regular ‘keeper BJ Watling was injured against England in June 2015. Playing the final Test of the series, Ronchi played a blinder, scoring 88 quick runs to help turn the tide in New Zealand’s favour as they went on to win the game.
7. Alan Dawson (South Africa): 33 years, 148 days
The medium-pace bowling all-rounder Dawson made his Test debut against Bangladesh in April 2003, and took two wickets in one innings. He did not get to bat, and went wicketless in the second innings. He played only one more Test, also against Bangladesh, but did little of note.
8. Vasbert Drakes (West Indies): 33 years, 125 days
A career brimming with potential but which was ultimately cultivated too late, Vasbert Drakes was the type of hard-hitting all-rounder that every team dreams of. Sadly, due to certain restrictions on players appearing in County cricket, he was not eligible for selection by the West Indies for a long time. When he was finally picked, it was against Bangladesh at Dhaka in December 2003. He took seven wickets on Test debut (four in one innings, andthree in the other) and scored 15. He happened to be one of the unbeaten batsmen when West Indies chased down the record 418 against Australia.
9. Saba Karim (India): 32 years, 362 days
A wicketkeeper-batsman with considerable talent, Saba Karim was unfortunate to play only one Test. An injury to his eye ended his career prematurely, while the likes of NayanMongia and Samir Dighe kept him out of the side when he was younger. His First-Class record suggests tremendous potential — a batting average of 56.66 with 22 centuries. His only Test was against Bangladesh in November 2000, where he scored 15 runs and took one catch.
10. Dale Richards (West Indies): 32 years, 358 days
Dale Richards was a hard-hitting opening batsman for Barbados. He was handed a Test cap against Bangladesh, in July 2009, but failed in both innings, scoring 13 and 14 as Bangladesh pulled off a massive upset. He went on to play two more Tests, scoring one half-century.
(Shiamak Unwalla is a proud Whovian and all-round geek who also dabbles in cricket writing as a reporter with CricketCountry. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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