Top ten debut innings in ODIs

One day cricket is all about scoring runs at a quick rate, and consolidating in the middle overs. It was originally dubbed a slightly quicker version of Test cricket, and with good reason too – matches were played for 60 overs a side and white flannels were still the order of the day.

It took the 1992 World Cup for coloured uniforms to make their official appearance in limited overs cricket, while the advent of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket saw white balls being used for the first time. The number of overs was also reduced to 50 in order to make games more interesting; in modern times, they still bring about a dash of excitement to spectators.

When a player does well on his or her first match in international cricket, he/she is elated when the side scores a brilliant victory. Much like Test cricket, only a classy player is worthy of an ODI cap; even if he/she does not do well on debut, the talent does not fade.

Here is a list of ten cricketers who announced their arrival on the ODI stage in style:

10. Shaun Marsh (Australia – 81 vs West Indies, Kingstown, June 2008)

Shaun Marsh of Australia

Hailing from a cricketing background – father Geoff Marsh was one of Australia’s finest openers in his time – it was only natural for Shaun to take up the mantle. He did so with considerable aplomb, and scored 81 runs in his first appearance for his country against the West Indies in June 2008.

Fresh from his exploits in the Indian Premier League’s inaugural season, where he helped steer the Kings XI Punjab to the semi-finals, the Western Australia left-hander hammered 7 fours and a six in his 97-ball innings, as Australia posted 273 in their 50 overs.

Left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken’s four-wicket haul saw the Windies crash to 189 all out, but the debutant Marsh was awarded Man of the Match for his superb innings.