Top ten debut knocks in Test matches

9. Faf du Plessis (South Africa – 78 & 110* vs Australia, Adelaide, November 2012)

South African T20 captain Francois du Plessis also made a memorable start to his Test career during his team’s visit to Australia in November 2012. Batting at number six owing to the unavailability of JP Duminy due to injury, the right-hander scored 78 runs in the first innings, sharing a 93-run eighth-wicket partnership with the hobbling Jacques Kallis.

In the second innings, du Plessis struck his maiden Test century – an unbeaten 110 made in 466 minutes, again featuring in a 99-run stand with Kallis for the sixth wicket; their efforts ensured that South Africa escaped with a draw on the last day. His debut total of 188 runs fetched him the Man-of-the-Match award as the series was still square going into the final Test.