Here are the first Test centurions from every cricketing nation
Test cricket is considered to be the ultimate format of the game. While playing for the country in Tests is of great honor, scoring a century is even more special. Moreover, it is considered to be legendary to become the first Test centurion. On the same note, we take a look at the first Test centurions from every cricketing nation.
- Charles Bannerman: The first of the first
- WG Grace: England's god-father of century
- Jimmy Sinclair: The warrior from South Africa
- Stewie Dempster: New Zealand's guardian angel
- Clifford Roach: The legendary centurion for West Indies
- Lala Amarnath: The man who began the Indian domination
- Maiden centurions from other Test playing nations
Charles Bannerman: The first of the first
Starting off with Australia, English-born Charles Bannerman was their opening centurion in the format. It came in March 1877, when Australia were playing their opening Test against England, as he went on to score the first century from the nation in their very first Test match. Notably, he also scored the very first century in Test cricket. He scored 165 before retiring hurt.
WG Grace: England's god-father of century
After Australia, it was England's turn, as WG Grace slammed the first for the fathers of cricket, which came during their fourth Test. Playing at The Oval in 1880 against Australia, he scored a well-played knock of 152, as England set up a match-winning total of 420. Notably, he is considered England's god-father of centuries, having scored 124 First-Class centuries.
Jimmy Sinclair: The warrior from South Africa
Although South Africa found it's way into Test cricket, it was relatively a weaker side. Nonetheless, it was Jimmy Sinclair, who turned out to be the first true warrior for Proteas after he became their first Test centurion. It happened in April 1899 against England, playing in Cape Town, when Sinclair smashed 106 in their eighth Test, as they lost it by 210 runs.
Stewie Dempster: New Zealand's guardian angel
Now, this was comical, as while England was busy playing the West Indies in a match, another team from England took on New Zealand in their first-ever Test series. Nonetheless, the second Test in January 1930, in Wellington, saw Stewie Dempster scoring the maiden Test century for the Kiwis, as he scored a fine 136, while the match ended in a competitive draw.
Clifford Roach: The legendary centurion for West Indies
In continuation of New Zealand, the same year and same month saw a legend from the West Indies being born. Clifford Roach became the first legendary West Indian to score the maiden Test century from the island nation. Playing against England in the opening Test of the series, he scored 122, playing at Bridgetown, Barbados, as the match ended in a draw.
Lala Amarnath: The man who began the Indian domination
Three years later, it was the beginning of Indian domination as Lala Amarnath rose from the Indian soil to become the first centurion from the nation. Playing against England in December 1933 at the Bombay Gymkhana club, Amarnath struck a resilient 118, as he looked to take the fight to England. Nonetheless, the English were too strong as they won by nine wickets.
Maiden centurions from other Test playing nations
Pakistan: Nazar Mohammad (124* vs India, Lucknow, October 1952) Sri Lanka: Sidath Wettimuny (157 vs Pakistan, Faisalabad, March 1982) Zimbabwe: Dave Houghton (121 vs India, Harare, October 1992) Bangladesh: Aminul Islam (145 vs India, Dhaka, November 2000) Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah (102 vs Bangladesh, Chittagong, September 2019)
