Most runs on debut in Test Cricket
We take a look at the players who have scored the most runs on debut in Test cricket. Every young aspiring cricketer’s dream is to represent his country in a Test match, and if you can make it count in your very first Test, then that would give you the confidence to go on and have a successful career. But is it the case always?
| Player | Runs | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| Lawrence Rowe (WI) | 314 | New Zealand | Kingston | 1972 |
| Tip Foster (ENG) | 306 | Australia | Sydney | 1903 |
| Yasir Hameed (PAK) | 275 | Bangladesh | Karachi | 2003 |
| Jacques Rudolph (SA) | 222 | Bangladesh | Chittagong | 2003 |
| KS Ranjitsinhji (ENG) | 216 | Australia | Manchester | 1896 |
1. Lawrence Rowe (314 runs)
He probably had the best debut of them all. A double hundred in the first innings followed by an unbeaten hundred in the second. Coming in at number 3, the debutant made 214 runs in his first ever Test innings. His career was interrupted by an eyesight issue and also because of an allergy he had on grass. But nevertheless, it was a fairly successful one as he finished it with 30 Tests at an average of 43 that had seven centuries and half centuries each.
2. Tip Foster (306 runs)
The late Tip Foster made the highest score by a debutant when he made 287 against Australia. He made 19 in the second innings, taking his aggregate on debut to 306 and helping England win that Test. Sadly, he could play only eight Test matches in his career, and died at an early age of 36 because of diabetes. He is also the only man to have captained England in both football and cricket.
3. Yasir Hameed (275 runs)
If anyone saw the way Yasir Hameed batted in his debut Test, ten years later you might be wondering why that career doesn’t have big numbers attached to it. He was so elegant to watch and had the temparament to succeed in the highest level. One could also notice his appetite as he made an unbeaten 105 in the second innings after scoring 170 in the first. But those were the only two Test tons that he made in his career. He played his last Test in 2010, and being at the fag end of his career, it doesn’t look like he would add any more Test caps.
4. Jacques Rudolph (222 runs)
It’s been a topsy turvy career, and it still has some steam left. So can Rudolph make a comeback one final time and then go out with a bang? It remains to be seen. He came close to making a debut twice in his career, and finally made it against Bangladesh at Chittagong. Batting at number 3, he was involved in an unbeaten 429-run partnership with Dippenaar. His 222 had 29 fours and two sixes. He was destined for bigger things, but since then he has been in and out of the side batting at various positions.
5. Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji (216 runs)
He was the Indian prince who turned out for England. He had a humongous domestic record and a good international record as well with an average of 45. In his debut Test against the Aussies, he made 62 in the first innings and an unbeaten 154 in the second. But that couldn’t prevent England from losing the Test. His batting technique was hailed by everyone those days and he has been credited for introducing the late cut and leg glance in the game.