First one-day international of top cricket-playing nations

The ODI format of cricket was introduced almost 94 years after the first ever Test was played. The first ever ODI was played between England and Australia in the year 1971. The concept of ODI and limited overs cricket was alien till then.

However, with the passage of time, ODI cricket has indeed changed the way cricket is played and is of vital importance in today's day and age with the ever-increasing competition from T20 cricket. However, the cricket World Cup which is played every 4 years is a prominent fixture and reflects the importance of ODI cricket in international cricket.

Let us go down the memory lane and see how various teams fared in their first ever ODI.

#1 Australia and England

The first ever ODI was played on 5th January 1971 between England and Australia

The third Test in the 1970-1971 Ashes series was abandoned due to rain without a single ball being bowled. The fifth day of the abandoned Test saw the birth of ODI cricket. The hosts played England in a 40 over match (8 ball per over). The historic Melbourne Cricket Ground was the venue for the first ever ODI.

Australia won the toss and elected to field before a capacity crowd of around 46,000 present at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England were bowled out for 190 runs and the hosts easily chased the target in 34.6 overs with 5 wickets in hand.

Though the visitors were beaten, their opener Edrich was named the player of the match for scoring 82 runs.

#2 New Zealand and Pakistan

Dayle Hadlee picked up 4 wickets leading New Zealand to a victory in their maiden ODI

After competing in a three-match Test series hosts New Zealand and visitors Pakistan both played their first over ODI. The match was held at Lancaster Park at Christchurch on 11th February 1973. It was a 40 over match with 8 balls per over.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl and they were impressive. The Kiwis were bundled out 187 with Sarfraz Nawaz picking up 4 wickets.

Dayle Hadlee, the fast bowler from New Zealand picked up 4 wickets and was the hero for the Kiwis. Pakistan were bowled out for 165 runs and New Zealand won their maiden ODI by a margin of 22 runs.

#3 West Indies

West Indies played their maiden ODI against England at Leeds in 1973

5th September 1973 saw the introduction of the West Indies to ODI cricket. England took on hosts England at Leeds in the said match.

The match turned out to be a thriller with the hosts just getting over the line by 1 wicket. The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat and scored 181 runs in 54 overs (it was a 55 over game). England were comfortably placed in the run chase and at one stage were 93-2 and then the collapse started.England were 176-9 when the last wicket of Willis and Underwood guided them home in the last over.

England beat the West Indies by 1 wicket and handed them a loss in their maiden ODI appearance.

#4 India

Brijesh Patel scored an impressive 82 in India's first ever ODI

India suffered the same fate as England, Pakistan and West Indies and lost their maiden ODI. The Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds was the ground which saw India make their debut in ODI cricket.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field. India scored an impressive 265 in 53.3 overs with Brijesh Patel top scoring in the innings. Patel scored 82 runs in 78 balls. England chased down the target of 266 easily with 6 wickets down and with 23 balls to spare.

Though India were defeated, they were impressive in their first ever ODI and gave the hosts a tough fight.

#5 Sri Lanka

Julien was the player of the match in Sri Lanka's maiden ODI appearance

Sri Lanka had a tough introduction to ODI cricket when they were thrashed by West Indies in their ODI appearance. Sri Lanka took on the formidable West Indies team in the 4th match of the World Cup in 1975 in Manchester.

Sri Lanka were bundled out for a mere 86 runs in 37.2 overs. Bernard Julien, the left-handed fast bowler from Trinidad picked up 4 wickets and was the player of the match. West Indies chased the target comfortably and won the match by 9 wickets with 236 balls to spare.

#6 Zimbabwe

Duncan Fletcher was the Player of the Match in Zimbabwe's maiden ODI appearance

Zimbabwe holds the distinction of being the only team after Australia not to lose its first ever Test. The ODI debut of Zimbabwe against Australia was a memorable one for the African nation.

In the 3rd match of the 1975 World Cup, Zimbabwe beat Australia by a margin of 13 runs and announced their arrival on the international stage. Australia failed to chase a target of 240 as set by the Zimbabwe team and could manage only 226 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 60 overs.

Duncan Fletcher scored 69 runs for Zimbabwe and was named the Player of the Match for his impressive batting.

#7 Bangladesh

Wasim Akram picked up 4 wickets against Bangladesh in their maiden ODI match

Wasim Akram was the chief destroyer of the Bangladesh cricket team in their first ever ODI appearance. The year was 1986 and Bangladesh took on a strong Pakistan team at Moratuwa in an Asia Cup match. Akram picked up 4 wickets for 19 runs in his 9 overs and Bangladesh were bundled out for just 94 runs in 34.3 overs.

Pakistan chased down the target with ease in 32.1 overs and with 7 wickets remaining. It was a difficult beginning for Bangladesh in international cricket.

#8 South Africa

Allan Donald picked up 5 wickets against India in South Africa's first ever ODI

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata was the venue for South Africa's first ever ODI. The year was 1991 and South Africa played India in their maiden ODI.

India won the toss and elected to field and restricted South Africa to 177 runs. Allan Donald picked up 5 wickets while India were batting.However, Sachin Tendulkar scored a patient 62 and guided India to a 3 wicket victory.

The first ever ODI for South Africa witnessed that they were a competitive team and not pushovers at the international level.