Youngest Test debutant from first 8 Test playing nations

A Test debut is perhaps one of the most cherished moments in any cricketers' life and when it comes quite early in life, then it is an even bigger accomplishment. Over the years, the world's eight oldest Test nations have often handed debuts to cricketers at ridiculously young ages and while some of them have been successes, many have proven to be a case of premature selection.

However, the ones who happen to be the youngest debutants in the history of their country's Test history will certainly be in the record books (till someone younger comes along), irrespective of how they go on to do in their careers. So, here's a look at 8 of the youngest Test debutants for the 8 oldest Test playing nations.

#1 Australia- Ian Craig, 17 years 239 days

Australian selectors are not generally known to hand out Test debuts to teenagers, however, they did make an exception for 17-year-old right-handed batting prodigy Ian Craig. He became the youngest Australian to make his Test debut at the age of 17 years and 239 days, when he was selected to play in the first eleven against South Africa at Melbourne back in 1953.

He was also the youngest to have played for New South Wales in first-class cricket and also the youngest batsman to score a double hundred in Australian first-class cricket. Although South Africa won the game, Craig scored 53 in the 1st innings and 47 in the 2nd, to give a good account of himself. However, he could not kick on and accomplish, despite becoming Australia's youngest Test captain back in 1957. He played only 11 Tes matches, scored 2 fifties and averaged only 19.88 in his 11 Test career.