Every batter dreams of scoring big and match-winning runs for their teams. But only a few players are fortunate enough to represent their country in international cricket. Undoubtedly, scoring a maiden test century would be unforgettable for any batsman. But few players created the history by scoring their first century. So, let's look at the top ten highest maiden test centuries.
1. Gary Sobers (365 Runs)
There was a time when the West Indies team used to have great batters, bowlers, and legendary all-rounders. Gary Sobers is the greatest all-rounder all-rounders the cricketing world has ever seen. In 1954, he debuted against England, where Gary Sobers scored 14 in 1st and 26 in 3rd innings. But in his 17th test match, he scored his first test century against Pakistan in 1958. In this match, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. In the 2nd innings of the test, Gary Sobers scored 365 runs, which remained the highest individual test record for 36 years.
2. Bob Simpson (311 Runs)
Bob Simpson was a former right-handed batsman and one of the most respected cricketers in Australia as well. He played his first test match against South Africa in 1957, where Bob could not score a century, and the match was drawn. But in the 38th test match of his career, Bob Simpson scored his first maiden test hundred. After scoring a century, he did not stop as Bob scored 311 runs in 743 balls, the second-highest maiden test century. In his career, Bob Simpson played 62 test matches in which he scored 4,869 runs with an average of 46.8.
3. Karun Nair (303 Runs)
Karun Nair is a right-handed batsman of India. It would not be wrong to say that Karun Nair is one of the unluckiest players, as he did not get to play more matches even after performing well in international cricket. In the 5th test against England in 2016, Karun Nair became the second Indian batsman to score a triple-century in test cricket. In 2nd innings, Karun Nair scored 303 runs in 381 balls, including 32 fours and four sixes. Karun Nair is an Indian batsman who has scored the highest maiden test centuries.
4. Tip Foster (287 Runs)
Tip Foster was one of the oldest and most legendary batsmen in England. He played his first test match against Australia in 1903. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring 285 in 1st innings. Tip Foster scored 287 runs in the debut match, two more than Australia's total score. Foster's innings of 287 runs is among the highest by any debutant. With the help of his innings, England easily won the match by five wickets. In his career, Tip Foster played 8 test matches in which he scored 602 runs with an average of 46.3.
5. Brian Lara (277 Runs)
Brian Lara is one of the most reputed cricketers in the world. Even before his debut, everyone knew Brian Lara's talent, and he proved it right in his 5th test against Australia in Sydney. In this match, Australia bat first and scored 503 runs in 1st innings. In 2nd innings, Brian Lara scored his maiden test ton, and after scoring a century, he scored 277 runs in 372 balls. Even though the match was drawn, Brian Lara showed dominance in the cricketing world by this inning.
6. Zaheer Abbas (274 Runs)
Zaheer Abbas is one of the greatest batsmen that Pakistan has ever produced. In first-class cricket, he scored 108 centuries. In 1969, Zaheer Abbas debuted against New Zealand, where Abbas could not even score a half-century. Zaheer Abbas's first test century came against England in 1971, where he played an exceptional innings of 274 in 467 balls, which is Zaheer Abbas's highest test score. In his career, Zaheer Abbas has played 78 test matches, scoring 5,062 runs with an average of 44.8.
7. Zak Crawley (257 Runs)
Zak Crawley is a young right-handed batsman from England. Undoubtedly, he is the future of England cricket. In 2019, Zak Crawley played his first match in New Zealand, scoring only one run in his first test. But his first test came against Pakistan in 2020, where Zake Crawley played a magnificent innings of 267 off 393 balls. Even though this match was drawn. But Zak Crawley showed his excellence to the cricketing world by this inning. So far, Zak Crawley has played 39 test matches for England, scoring 2,204 runs with an average of 31.5.
8. Rohan Kanhai (256 Runs)
Rohan Kanhai was a former legendary right-handed batsman of the West Indies. He scored 15 centuries in test cricket, but his maiden test century came against India in 1958. In this match, West Indies batted first, and Rohan Kanhai scored 256 runs, one of the highest for any West Indies batsman. With Rohan Kanhai's brilliant 256 runs, West Indies won the match by an innings and 336 runs. In his career, Rohan Kanhai played 79 test matches in which he scored 6,227 runs with an average of 47.5.
9. Jackie McGlew (255 Runs)
Jackie McGlew was a former right-handed batsman from South Africa. In 1951, he debuted against England, where Jackie McGlew scored 40 in 1st and 5 in 2nd innings. But in the 7th test match against New Zealand in 1953, he scored his maiden test century. Jackie McGlew scored 255 runs in this match, the highest maiden test score by any South African batsman. As a result, South Africa easily won the match by an innings and 180 runs.
10. Wally Hammond (251 Runs)
Wally Hammond is one of the greatest batsmen in the history of England cricket. Even he has scored the most double-centuries in test cricket for England. Wally Hammond played his debut match against South Africa in 1927. But his first test century came against Australia in 1928 when Wally Hammond scored 251 runs in 605 balls. As a result, England easily won the match by eight wickets. In his career, Wally Hammond played 85 test matches, scoring 7,249 runs with an average of 58.5.
