5 bowlers who took the most wickets on Test debut

For the vast majority of aspiring cricketers toiling long and hard in the domestic circuit, obtaining the maiden Test cap presents the toughest of all challenges. Some may react to the seminal moment with palpable emotion and consequently find it difficult to adapt to the rigours of international cricket. However, there have also been quite a few players who managed to respond to the prospect with succinct elation before going on to make lasting first impressions.

In this segment, let us take a close at five bowlers who have picked the most number of wickets in their respective Test debuts. While formulating this particular list, performances from both innings have been clubbed together. Considering the fact that there have been as many as seven bowlers with exactly 11 wickets in their respective debut matches, the least amount of runs conceded gains prominence as the secondary filter.

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#5 Clarrie Grimmett - 11/82 (1925)

Grimmett is one of the greatest leg-spinners in Australia's resplendent Test history

Very few bowlers in Test history have made stunning debuts and then gone on to attain meaningful careers. Clarrie Grimmett was one of those rare cricketers who just moved from strength to strength since entering the international arena. Australia's long-standing tradition of producing world-class leg-spinners began with Grimmett. 216 wickets from 37 Tests speak volumes of his legacy in the game.

Had he debuted when he was much younger, Grimmett could have played plenty more Tests. In what was a rarity even in those days, the leg-spinner had to wait until he was well over 33 before being deemed worthy enough of playing Test cricket.

When the moment finally came, Grimmett produced a befitting performance against the old rivals. On a typically dry track at the SCG, the wrist-spinner picked up five wickets in the first innings and six scalps in the second innings to spin England into submission. Among his victims were Frank Woolley and Sir Jack Hobbs.

#4 Jason Krejza - 12/358 (2008)

Krejza's effort could not prevent Australia from slipping to a 172-run defeat

In the final Test of the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia finally ditched the ploy of playing only one specialist spinner on conducive Indian pitches. On a dusty Nagpur surface, seamer Stuart Clark made way for debutant Jason Krejza. Not a lot was expected from the novice off-spinner as the then Indian batting lineup comprised of numerous accomplished players against the turning ball.

After winning the toss, India predictably chose to bat first. The opening duo of debutant Murali Vijay as well as the explosive Virender Sehwag set the platform with a solid first-wicket stand. Krejka left everyone in disbelief by dismissing Rahul Dravid for a duck. He followed the massive scalp by removing the dangerous Sehwag too.

Riding on Sachin Tendulkar's sublime century and vital contributions from the other middle-order batsmen, India amassed 441 in their first innings. From a whopping 43.5 overs, Krejza finished with eight wickets at the cost of 215 runs. In the second innings, the tall off-spinner picked up four wickets whilst conceding 143 runs. But his persistent efforts were not enough to prevent India from cruising to a comfortable victory and the accompanying series triumph.

#3 Fred Martin - 12/102 (1890)

Fred Martin's Test career was restricted to just two appearances

With most England cricketers of yore preferring the County circuit to the then nascent international arena, it does not come across as a surprise that Fred Martin's Test career comprised just two appearances. In sharp contrast, he played as many as 315 first-class matches for Kent between 1885 and 1900.

The left-arm medium pacer's debut Test was a memorable match. On an uncovered surface at The Oval, Martin wreaked havoc on an unsuspecting Australian batting lineup. His 6/50 sent the visitors crashing to 92 in the first-innings. England did not fare much better either. Even as skipper WG Grace was dismissed for a duck, they could only muster a lead of eight runs.

However, Martin once again procured momentum for England by bowling unchanged right throughout the Australian second innings. His six-wicket haul from 30.2 overs helped raze the tourists for just 102. Chasing a paltry target on a dodgy pitch, England managed to complete a thrilling two-wicket victory.

#2 Bob Massie - 16/137 (1972)

Massie extracted venomous swing to blow England into smithereens at Lord's

In what remains one of the most unplayable spells of swing bowling in Test history, Bob Massie pulled the rug under England's feet at the iconic Lord's Stadium during the second Test of the 1972 Ashes series. Armed with nothing but vintage sideburns and a gentle action, he somehow managed to scythe through a seasoned batting lineup. Operating from a relatively short run-up, the right-arm medium pacer extracted venomous swing to herald an astonishing debut.

Massie's maiden Test scalp was the stodgy Geoffrey Boycott. From then on, it was unprecedented carnage as he outshone the highly rated Dennis Lillee and picked up eight wickets in the first innings to restrict England to 272.

With Greg Chappell's resilient ton obtaining a lead of 36 runs, Massie was in his elements in the second innings too. He once again scalped eight wickets and singlehandedly routed the hosts for just 116. Despite producing a match-winning performance on debut, the Western Australian became a victim of his own success. He played only five more Tests before being dumped forever.

Watch Bob Massie's stunning debut

#1 Narendra Hirwani - 16/136 (1988)

Hirwani's awe-inspiring performance helped India humble the intimidating West Indies team

In the aftermath of Bob Massie's jaw-dropping debut, it seemed like his record was unlikely to be surpassed for a long time. However, only 16 years later, a bespectacled spinner from India emerged to eclipse the Australian's remarkable initiation by picking up as many wickets as him at the cost of one lesser run.

Debuting on a tailor-made surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Madras, Narendra Hirwani made mincemeat of an extremely menacing West Indies lineup. With Kapil Dev's 124-ball 109 propelling the hosts to 382 in the first innings, the newly inducted leg-spinner strengthened India's position by razing the visitors with a magical spell. His 8/61 procured a hefty lead of 198 runs.

Extra Cover: SK Flashback - Narendra Hirwani's record-breaking debut against West Indies

Defending 416 on a rapidly deteriorating track, Hirwani blew away West Indies for the second time in the match. None of the touring batsmen could prevent themselves from falling prey to his extravagant flight and loop. Kiran More made merry behind the stumps by effecting a record six stumpings in the Test. India surged to an euphoric 255-run triumph and levelled the series in grand style. As for Hirwani, the match remained the high-point of his brief Test career.

Relive Narendra Hirwani's sensational debut