Bowling is a tedious task, especially when it comes to the longest format of the game, i.e., Test cricket. A bowler must sometimes bowl hundreds of balls before getting a wicket, and sometimes he/she is fortunate enough to get one on the very first ball of a match or an innings. In this article, we will take a glance at some of the English bowlers to take a wicket on the first ball of a Test innings.
1. James Anderson In 2011
James Anderson, the right-arm fast bowler from Lancashire, is the first to show up on our list. Anderson played his first Test match in 2003 against Zimbabwe at Lord's, and since then he has played in 175 matches and picked up 667 wickets at an average of 26.22. He took a wicket on the first ball of an innings in 2011 against India at Trent Bridge. Abhinav Mukund was the batter on the crease.
2. Mathew Hoggard In 2006
Mathew Hoggard was a right-arm fast medium bowler from Leeds, Yorkshire. Hoggard made his Test debut in 2000 against the West Indies at Lord’s. In 2006, in a Test match against Pakistan at Lord’s, he took a wicket on the first ball of an innings. Salman Butt, the opening batter from Pakistan, was the batter on the crease.
3. Ryan Sidebottom In 2007
Ryan Sidebottom was a left-arm fast medium bowler from Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Ryan played his first Test match in 2001 against Pakistan at Lord’s. In 2007, in a Test match against the West Indies at Riverside Ground, he took the wicket of Darren Ganga on the first ball of an innings.
4. Andy Caddick In 1999
Andy Caddick, the right-arm fast medium bowler for England born in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, is the next to feature on the list. Caddick played his maiden Test match in 1993 against Australia in Manchester. In 1999, in a Test match against New Zealand at Edgbaston, he scalped the wicket of Roger Twose on the first ball of an inning.
5. Bob Willis In 1982
Bob Willis was a right-arm fast bowler for England who hailed from County Durham. Bob played his first Test for England in 1971 against Australia in Sydney. In 1982, in a Test match against Pakistan at Headingley, he took the wicket of Mohsin Khan on the first ball of an innings. He took 325 wickets in 90 Test matches at an average of 25.20.
6. Brian Statham In 1954
Brian Statham, a right-arm fast medium bowler from Manchester, Lancashire, is the next to appear on the list. Brian made his Test debut in 1951 against New Zealand at Christchurch. He took the wicket of Frank Worrell, a West Indian batter, on the first ball of the innings in 1954 at Bourda. In 70 matches, he took 252 wickets.
7. Devon Malcolm In 1995
Devon Malcolm was a right-arm fast bowler for England who originally hailed from Kingston, Jamaica. In 1989, he made his Test-match debut against Australia at Nottingham. He picked up the wicket of Carl Hooper on the very first ball of an innings in 1995 at Headingley. In 40 Test matches, he took 128 wickets at an average of 37.09.
8. John Snow In 1969
John Snow was a right-arm fast medium bowler from Worcestershire. John made his first appearance for England in Test cricket in 1965 against New Zealand at Lord’s. He took the wicket of Roy Fredericks, a West Indian batter, on the first ball of the innings in 1969 at Old Trafford.
9. George Lohmann In 1888
George Lohmann was a right-arm medium fast bowler from Kensington, London, who first played for England in Test cricket in 1886 against Australia at Manchester. In 1888, he became the first bowler to take a wicket on the first ball of an innings. He did so against Australia at Old Trafford, where Percy McDonnell became his scalp.
10. Maurice Tate In 1926
Maurice Tate was a right-handed batter and a right-arm medium fast bowler from Brighton, Sussex. Tate made his Test debut in 1924 against South Africa at Birmingham. In 1926, in a Test match against Australia at Headingley, he took the wicket of Warren Bardsley on the first ball of an innings. He played in 39 Test matches for England and took 155 wickets at an average of 26.16.
