This article will discuss the top bowling performances of cricketers in their career Test debut matches.
We will divide this article into two:
- Best bowling figures in an innings on Test debut
- Best bowling figures in both innings of the debut Test match (combined bowling figure)
Best Bowling Figures (Innings) by a Test Debutant
The best bowling figures in an innings by a Test debutant are presented below:
| SN | BOWLER | BEST BOWLING | VS | INNS | VENUE | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albert Trott (AUS) | 8/43 | England | 2 | Adelaide | 1895 |
| 2 | Robert Massie (AUS) | 8/53 | England | 2 | Lord’s | 1972 |
| 3 | Narendra Hirwani (IND) | 8/61 | West Indies | 1 | Chennai | 1988 |
| 4 | Lance Klusener (SA) | 8/64 | India | 2 | Eden Garden’s | 1996 |
| 5 | Narendra Hirwani (IND) | 8/75 | West Indies | 2 | Chennai | 1988 |
| 6 | Robert Massie (AUS) | 8/84 | England | 1 | Lord’s | 1972 |
| 7 | Alfred Valentine (WI) | 8/104 | England | 1 | Manchester | 1950 |
| 8 | Jason Krezja (AUS) | 8/215 | India | 1 | Nagpur | 2008 |
| 9 | Kyle Abbott (SA) | 7/29 | Pakistan | 1 | Centurion | 2013 |
| 10 | Dominic Cork (ENG) | 7/43 | West Indies | 2 | Lord’s | 1995 |
Key Stats
Albert Trott’s figures of 8/43 recorded in the 19th century is still the best bowling figures by a Test debutant in an innings.
India’s Narendra Hirwani and Australia’s Robert Massie have featured twice in the above list by picking 8 wicket-hauls in both innings of their respective debut Test matches. You can check the scorecard of those games here and here.
Massie’s 8/53 in his 2nd bowling innings is the best away bowling performance by a Test debutant.
Australia’s Jason Krezja’s 8-wicket haul in Nagpur is the only entrant from the 21st century.
Best Bowling Figures (Match) by a Test Debutant
| SN | BATSMAN | BBM | VS | VENUE | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra Hirwani (IND) | 16/136 | West Indies | Chennai | 1988 |
| 2 | Robert Massie (AUS) | 16/137 | England | Lord’s | 1972 |
| 3 | Frederick Martin (ENG) | 12/102 | Australia | The Oval | 1890 |
| 4 | Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) | 12/177 | Australia | Galle | 2022 |
| 5 | Jason Krejza (AUS) | 12/358 | India | Nagpur | 2008 |
| 6 | Clarence Grimmett | 11/82 | England | Sydney | 1925 |
| 7 | Charles Marriott (ENG) | 11/96 | West Indies | The Oval | 1933 |
| 8 | Alf Hall (SA) | 11/112 | England | Cape Town | 1923 |
| 9 | Mohammad Zahid (PAK) | 11/130 | New Zealand | Rawalpindi | 1996 |
| 10 | Alec Bedser (ENG) | 11/145 | India | Lord’s | 1946 |
Key Stats
Picking up 8 wickets in each innings against West Indies in 1988, Narendra Hirwani recorded the best figures in a match by a Test debutant.
