Top ten debut knocks in Test matches

2. R.E. ‘Tip’ Foster (England – 287 & 19 vs Australia, Sydney, December 1903)

The jovial Englishman made the highest score by a debutant when he hit 287 against Australia on the 1903-04 Ashes tour. His innings also remained the highest ever individual Test score until it was broken by Andy Sandham’s 325.

Foster’s innings remained the highest by a batsman at the SCG for nearly a century, until Australian skipper Michael Clarke hammered 329 not out against India in the 2011-12 series. Sadly for English cricket lovers, he succumbed to his chronic diabetes in 1914, aged only 36.