The first players to score Test centuries for their countries

South Africa: Jimmy Sinclair

Jimmy Sinclair: an all-rounder of high pedigree

Playing in his fourth and his country's eighth match, right-handed Jimmy Sinclair went on to register South Africa's maiden Test century (106) against England in Cape Town in 1898.

Sinclair, who batted at the crucial number 4 position, was also the first Proteas' batsman to score a half-century, a feat he had achieved in the previous game.

South Africa started playing Test cricket in the year 1889 but they had to wait for close to a decade for seeing one of their batsmen breaching the three-figure mark.

However, unlike Bannerman and Grace, Sinclair's momentous feat did not prove to be enough to secure a win for South Africa, who conceded defeat in each of their eight matches thus far.

A player with all-round ability, Sinclair played 25 Tests in his career and ended up scoring 1069 runs at 23.23 and picking up 63 wickets at 31.68.