As Sam Konstas will get set for his Take a look at debut, we glance again at the newest Aussies to obtain their first Dishevelled Inexperienced on Boxing Day.
Matthew Nicholson (1998, v England)
The fiery paceman has one of many extra exceptional Dishevelled Inexperienced tales of latest instances. An adopted West Aussie, Nicholson missed all the 1997-98 season because of continual fatigue syndrome, earlier than storming to the highest of the game the very subsequent summer time. The proper-arm fast tore by England with 7-77 in a WACA Floor Ashes warm-up, and was subsequently referred to as upon for the Fourth Take a look at in Melbourne. Nicholson dismissed star batter Nasser Hussain twice amid 4 wickets for the match, however the Aussies misplaced and he was dropped – by no means to be recalled at Take a look at degree once more.
Brett Lee (1999, v India)
Comfortably probably the most achieved identify on this listing. The then 23-year-old gave greater than a glimpse of his appreciable potential by blasting by India, claiming seven scalps, together with Rahul Dravid twice. Lee made a large number of opener Sadagoppan Ramesh’s stumps with simply his fourth ball in Take a look at cricket on his approach to a primary innings five-for, and it was the beginning of an excellent profession that sees him sitting in seventh on Australia’s all-time wicket-takers to at the present time.
Martin Love (2002, v England)
Love’s distinctive five-Take a look at profession began prefer it ended – in excellent style. The Queenslander earned a Boxing Day call-up on the again of a decade-long first-class domination, and batted twice in Melbourne whereas remaining unconquered. Love carved out scores of 62no and 6no within the Aussies’ Ashes win, and peeled off his maiden Take a look at ton simply seven months later in opposition to Bangladesh. However Damien Martyn’s return from harm meant he was squeezed out and by no means labored his method again in, leaving him amongst a small listing of gamers to have hit a century of their final-ever Take a look at.
Phil Jaques (2005, v South Africa)
Stepping in for an injured Justin Langer, Jaques confronted a baptism of fireplace in opposition to South Africa’s Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini – and lasted simply 12 balls on Boxing Day morning earlier than succumbing to the previous. The opener improved with 28 within the second dig, and when given his alternative to turn into Langer’s everlasting substitute in 2007, he took it with each fingers by scoring back-to-back tons in opposition to Sri Lanka.
Ed Cowan (2011, v India)
If Konstas can produce an innings as efficient as Cowan’s straight out of the gate on Boxing Day morning, he’ll be a cheerful man. Inserted instantly into the motion after Australia opted to bat in opposition to India, Cowan grafted for 177 deliveries atop the order, protecting his head because the likes of David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey misplaced their wickets on the different finish. Cowan completed with 68 to top-score for the Aussies in a Take a look at they went on to win, and it will show one of many highlights of an 18-Take a look at profession.
Jackson Fowl (2012, v Sri Lanka)
One other who wasted no time making a direct impression because the Take a look at obtained underway. Leaning extra on precision than specific tempo, Fowl had Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind together with his tenth supply with the brand new ball and completed with 2-32 from 13 overs to set Australia’s innings victory in movement. Fowl earned Participant of the Match honours the very subsequent week in Sydney, however went on to play simply seven extra Assessments to rank among the many extra unfortunate quick bowlers of latest instances.
Joe Burns (2014, v India)
Burns’ first Take a look at and closing Take a look at had been each Boxing Day fixtures in opposition to India, six years aside. The Queenslander-turned-Italian (yep, you learn that proper) batted alongside Steve Smith (192 within the first innings) and Shaun Marsh (99 within the second innings) however may solely muster scores of 13 and 9 himself in an underwhelming debut in a draw. He discovered his toes rapidly afterwards en path to 4 centuries in 23 Assessments, with an elevation from the center order to opener producing cheap outcomes.
Scott Boland (2021, v England)
It’s nonetheless recent within the reminiscence because of it solely being three years in the past, however this one will possible nonetheless be burned into our brains three many years from now. Having taken only one first-innings scalp, Boland produced a exceptional burst of 6-7 – strung throughout two days – to cut back England to rubble. The Victorian jagged two wickets in three balls late on day two and added 4 extra when play resumed the subsequent morning in a shocking flip of occasions. Having been used sparingly since then as a result of domination of Australia’s ‘huge 4’ bowlers, Boland will this week be eyeing a repeat efficiency as he subs in for Josh Hazlewood.
