Top ten debut knocks in Test matches

8. Andrew Strauss (England – 112 & 83 vs New Zealand, Lord’s, May 2004)

The former England opener also has the distinction of scoring a century on debut at Lord’s – joining an elite list that also includes the enigmatic ex-Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

In his debut game, Strauss opened the innings against New Zealand, after an injury to Michael Vaughan and Mark Butcher declining to take the vacant opening slot. His knock of 112 was instrumental in setting up England’s eventual win, and he followed it up with 83 in the second innings before being run out in a mix-up with Nasser Hussain; for his fine performance, he was awarded Man of the Match.

With his maiden century in the first innings, the left-hander became the third opener to achieve this feat, the second English player to score a debut hundred at Lord’s, and the fourth England player to score a century and a half-century on debut. Terrific stuff!