Since the lovely game of cricket was created right here in England, the country has come to be known as the home of cricket. There have been a lot of players that have represented England since the game's debut in 1877. However, very few players have ever been able to hit a century in their first ever match. This article will cover some of the first England batters to record a century on their Test debuts.
1. William Grace
At number one we have William Grace, a right-handed batter from Downend, Bristol. William played his first Test match in 1880 against Australia at The Oval. He scored 152 runs off 294 balls with the help of 12 boundaries in his very first Test innings. His innings helped England win the Test match.
2. KS Ranjitsinhji
Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji was an Indian prince and one of the most prolific batters of his time. Ranjitsinhji played as a right-handed batter and made his Test debut in 1896 against Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester. He scored an unbeaten 154 runs in his second innings, including 23 boundaries.
3. Pelham Warner
Pelham Warner was a right-handed batter born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. In 1899, Warner played his first Test match against South Africa at Johannesburg. He scored an unbeaten 132 runs in his second innings, which helped England emerge on the victorious side. He played 15 Tests and scored 622 runs at an average of 23.92.
4. Tip Foster
Tip Foster was a right-handed batter from Malvern, Worcestershire. Foster played his debut Test match in 1903 against Australia at Sydney. He scored a brilliant 287 runs in his first innings, with 37 boundaries to his name. His marathon innings of 287 helped England defeat Australia at their home ground.
5. George Gunn
George Gunn was a right-handed batter from Nottinghamshire. Gunn debuted for England in white against archrival Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground in 1907. He scored 119 runs in his first innings, which comprised 20 boundaries. However, England could not win that match despite Gunn’s brilliant century.
6. Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi
At number six we have, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi popularly known as nawab of Pataudi who is the only cricketer to play for both England and India in Test matches. In 1932, in his first Test match against Australia, he scored 102 runs off a mammoth 380 balls. This innings of his contributed to England’s win in that Test match.
7. Bryan Valentine
Bryan Valentine, a right-handed batter from Kent who first played for England in Test matches in 1933, is next on the list. Bryan played his first Test match against India at Mumbai and scored a brilliant 112 runs in Testing conditions and situations. His innings included 12 fours and a lone six.
8. Paul Gibb
Next on the list is Paul Gibb, who played as a right-handed wicketkeeper batter for England. Gibb was first seen playing for England in Test cricket in 1938 against South Africa at Johannesburg. In his second innings of the match, he scored 106 runs, which helped England put on a huge score on the board. He had scored 93 runs in the first innings as well.
9. Billy Griffith
Billy Griffith was a right-handed wicketkeeper batter from Wandsworth, London. In 1948, Billy played his first Test match against the West Indies at Port of Spain. He scored 140 runs and was present on the field for a staggering six hours. His innings helped England put together a good first innings total and narrow down the huge deficit.
10. Peter May
Peter May was a right-handed top-order batter from Berkshire who made his Test debut in 1951 against South Africa at Headingley, Leeds. May scored 138 runs in his very first innings in Test cricket. His innings helped England draw the match, and he was the highest scorer for England in that match.
