5 times batsmen scored Test centuries before Lunch on Day 1

The recent India-Afghanistan Test match may have ended within two days, but it was serving a more noble purpose. The Test marked the inclusion of Afghanistan in the Test arena and has provided special moments that will long survive in our memory.

The greatest talking point on day one was, of course, the record-breaking century by the Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan. He laid into the Afghan spinners and notched an 87-ball hundred in the session before lunch. He not only became the first Indian to do so but also only the sixth batsman to achieve the rare distinction.

The swinging new balls, fresh bowlers raring to go at you and time required to assess the pitch makes Test century within the first session on day one very improbable. Hence here are all the five occasions where the batsman reached the three-figure mark before the umpire called lunch on the first day.

#1 - Victor Trumper vs England, Old Trafford, Manchester, 1902

Victor Trumper - First Australian cricket megastar

The first Australian cricketing megastar stamped his name in the history books of the game as he scored the first-ever century before lunch on day one. Victor Trumper is the name that is taken in the same breath as that of Don Bradman. His batting supremacy was established with his stunning performances on the wettest English pitches.

The specific event took place in the fourth Test of the Ashes series being played in England in 1902. Leading the five-match series 1-0, Australian Captain Joe Darling chose to bat first. The openers Victor Trumper and Reggie Duff strode out.

The outfield was wet and slippery, so much so that England was unable to introduce its fast bowlers who had longer run-ups. The Australian opening pair made most of the conditions and Trumper, in particular, was severe.

By Lunch on day one, Australia had piled up 173/1 with Trumper becoming the first batsman ever to score a century within the first session on day one. The unblemished innings included 14 boundaries and he was soon out for the final score of 103. Australia later won the Test by three runs.

#2 - Charles Macartney vs England, Headingley, Leeds, 1926

"Governor-General" Charlie Macartney and his epic century at Leeds, 1926

Known as “The Governer-General” for his authoritative batsmanship and the supreme stroke play, Charles Macartney is generally considered as one of the most elegant batsmen to wield the willow. The Australian batsman who began primarily as a bowler essayed a devastating knock on a tricky wicket.

Sensing a chance to roll the opponents over quickly on the wet pitch, English captain Arthur Carr asked Australia to bat first. The logic behind the decision was justified as the Aussie opener was out on the first ball of the match. A determined Charles Macartney walked out to bat next.

Pulling off one beautiful stroke after another, Macartney started off with attack being his best defense. After being dropped on just his fourth ball, the batsman displayed his full armory as he utilized the shots like cuts, glances, pulls, hooks, and drives.

By lunch on day one, Charles Macartney ended with 112* becoming only the second batsman to score in a century within the first session of the first Test. Astonishingly fifth Test of this series was the last career Test of Macartney and he retired from international cricket thereafter.

#3 - Don Bradman vs England, Headingley, Leeds, 1930

Don Bradman and his murderous innings at Leeds in 1930

There are barely any Test batting records where Sir Don Bradman’s name does not feature prominently. This record is one of the finest pearls in his studded crown. On 11th July 1930, Bradman murdered the English bowling and started with a century before lunch on day one.

The 1930 tour to England by the Australian team is remembered for Bradman’s claim of immortality as he ransacked 974 runs in the series which still stands as an unbeaten record. The legendary batsman displayed the best of his batting in the third Test at Leeds.

That day at Leeds, English team began with an early wicket which remained their only joyous moment of the day. Bradman unleashed himself on the English bowling and there was no respite spared. The Australian marauder smashed the bowling attack consisting of Harold Larwood, Maurice Tate and Richard Tyldesley.

Bradman not only completed a hundred runs in the first session but added another ton in the session between lunch and tea interval. The greatest run-machine then raced to 309 runs in a day, a feat not repeated by any batsman till date. He was eventually out for 334 the next day.

#4 - Majid Khan vs New Zealand, National Stadium, Karachi, 1976

Majid Khan became the first non-Australian batsman to score a century before lunch on day one Benson and Hedges Cup - Warwickshire v Cambridge University

Overshadowed by his legendary relatives like Jahangir Khan (father), Imran Khan, Javed Burki (cousins), Majid Khan has managed to carve a niche for himself in the Test cricket. He remained the only batsman to score a century in the first session of day one for the period of 1931 to 2015.

Pakistan captain Mushtaq Mohammad won the toss and chose to bat first on the placid Karachi track. The opener Majid Khan realizing the golden opportunity launched an attack on the Kiwi bowling that included Richard Collinge, Lance Cairns and Richard Hadlee. By lunch on day one, Majid Khan stood at a historical score of 108* at the National Stadium, Karachi. He was subsequently dismissed for 112 runs. Other batsmen enjoyed the feast too as Javed Miandad and Mushtaq Mohammad registered heavy scores.

Majid Khan later in 1974 achieved another milestone as he became the first Pakistani ODI centurion with this hundred against England at Trent Bridge.

#5 - David Warner vs Pakistan, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 2017

David Warner after his record-breaking ton

With the game speeding up, there were plenty of dashing openers who could smash a century before lunch on day one. The names included the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, etc. Finally, it was the pocket dynamo of Australian Cricket, David Warner who achieved the feat.

In the third Test match of the tour being played at Sydney, Australian Captain Steve Smith opted to bat first and sent in his openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw. Warner’s intentions appeared clear as he started attacking Pakistan bowlers immediately.

When the first session of day one ended, one Australian opener Matt Renshaw was not out on 25. At the other end, his partner was celebrating his century. David Warner completed the century within a session and in just 78 balls.

The whirlwind innings did not last long and Warner returned to the pavilion with the final score of 113 runs from 95 balls. The assault included 17 boundaries. The hapless Pakistani team lost the Test and the series as well.