3 batsmen who converted their maiden Test hundred into a triple century 

When a batsman makes his debut in Test cricket, he is faced with a lot of new challenges that he may not be prepared for. Usually, new players do not have much patience and so fans rarely witness them play long innings right away

There have been very few occasions where a youngster managed to convert his first Test hundred into a double century. India’s new opener Mayank Agarwal joined this elite list last week.

However, a few batsmen have even achieved the feat of converting their first ever Test hundred into a triple century. Here, we look at those three players:

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#3 Karun Nair, India

Karun Nair

The Rajasthan-born right-handed batsman Karun Nair has played very little international cricket for India but he has repeatedly impressed everyone with his temperament in the domestic circuit.

Nair made his international debut in June 2016 and his good performances earned him a place in the Test squad for the series against England. Though he had experience of playing only a solitary Test, Nair smashed 303 runs versus England in the final match of that series.

Chennai hosted this Test, where India bowled out the visitors for 477 in the first innings. In reply, KL Rahul’s 199 helped India get close to the total. But it was Nair’s heroics that gave the team a monumental lead of 282 runs.

Nair stayed in the middle for 565 minutes, played 381 deliveries and slammed 32 boundaries and 4 sixes in his epic knock. Ultimately, captain Virat Kohli declared the innings after the youngster had crossed the 300-run milestone.

Surprisingly, Nair could not cement his place in the team despite that tremendous performance.

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#2 Bob Simpson, Australia

Bob Simpson Australia Cricketer 1964

Former Australian captain Bob Simpson converted his maiden hundred into a triple hundred during the 1964 Ashes series. This contest - the fourth of the series - was played in England, with Manchester being the host city.

The visiting team won the toss and skipper Simpson showed no hesitation in electing to bat first on a flat wicket. The captain opened the innings along with Bill Lawry and the duo stitched together a partnership of 201 runs for the opening wicket.

Lawry lost his wicket because of a run out but his partner continued to dominate the opposition bowlers. Simpson stayed on the pitch until the score neared 650, before John Price got him out caught behind.

The right-handed batsman departed after scoring 311 runs off 743 balls. This was the first time Simpson reached the triple figure mark, and he ensured that he did not let his team down by losing his wicket after registering his maiden century.

Simpson’s knock composed of 23 fours and 1 six and it helped Australia declare the innings on 656 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. England too surpassed the 600-run mark thanks to Ted Dexter’s century and Ken Barrington’s double ton.

The match ended in a stalemate but the fans in Manchester enjoyed watching the fantastic batting performances.

#1 Sir Garry Sobers, West Indies

Garry Sobers

One of the greatest Caribbean batsmen of all time, Sir Garfield Sobers holds the distinction of being the first batsman in Test cricket history to convert his maiden hundred into a 300.

Playing against Pakistan in the year 1958, Sobers played a memorable knock of 365* to help his team win the game by an innings and 174 runs.

Pakistan batted first and scored 328 runs in the first innings of that Test match. In reply, Sobers joined forces with Conrad Hunte to trouble the Pakistani bowlers.

Hunte hit a double century while Sobers stayed in the middle for 614 minutes to guide West Indies to a total of 790 for the loss of just 3 wickets. Sobers hit 38 fours in what proved to be the best innings of his Test career.

In the third innings, Pakistan could only score 288 runs before getting all out. The match was played at Kingston and it will always be remembered for one of the most magnificent innings in the history of red-ball cricket.