15 greatest Test debuts of all time

Jofra Archer vs Australia, Lord's, 2019

Jofra Archer grabbed eyeballs on debut.

Jofra Archer might not have dominated the wicket charts or shattered records on his Test debut, but the impact he created was second to none. From rattling Steven Smith flush on the helmet to grabbing headlines by chalking up express pace and bounce with the old ball, Archer hogged all the limelight in his first appearance in the whites.

He finished the first Test with five wickets overall and has continued to terrorize batsmen across the globe since then.

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Alastair Cook vs India, Ahmedabad, 2006

Alastair Cook made a mark in his first Test appearance.

Alastair Cook made a fairytale start to his Test career by churning out quality knocks against India. He proved his credentials early, scoring a well-compiled 60 in the first innings. But the half-century didn't quite satiate his hunger. He crafted a valiant 104 in the final innings. Cook hung his boots as the highest run-scorer for England in the longer format.

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Michael Clarke vs India, Bengaluru, 2004

Michael Clarke enjoyed a fantastic debut.

Michael Clarke was asked to rebuild Australia's innings after Anil Kumble had wreaked havoc with his googlies. The debutant was understandably a tad fidgety to begin with, but soon discovered his groove and began carting the Indians all over the park.

He became Australia's first debut centurion since Greg Blewett in 1995, received the player of the match award, and went on to become arguably Australia's finest batsman in the years to come.

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Virender Sehwag v South Africa, Bloemfontein, 2001

Virender Sehwag left the Proteas gasping for breath.

Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock had weaved their magic in helpful conditions, reducing India to 68/4. Enter Virender Sehwag. Coming in at number six, the white-ball maestro blasted a counter-punching hundred, sparing none from Shaun Pollock to Jacques Kallis.

Sehwag would eventually cement his position at the opening slot and transform the way batting in Test cricket was approached over the next decade.

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Lawrence Rowe vs New Zealand, Sabina Park, 1972

File image of Lawrence Row

Lawrence Rowe, who kick-started his career on an emphatic note, unfortunately, became one of cricket's forgotten heroes. The flamboyant right-hander smashed a mind-boggling 214 and 100* on Test debut, with pleasing square cuts and mighty hooks dominating his array of strokes.

With runs flowing from his ominous willow, Rowe was on seventh heaven when tragedy struck. He was found allergic to grass and was forced to stop playing, which meant his career derailed even before taking flight.

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