First player to hit their first ball in Test cricket for six

New Zealand’s Mark Craig made his Test debut against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on 8-11 June 2014. In setting up a final-day declaration, the Auckland-born off-spinner, batting at No.10, smashed the first ball he faced in international cricket for six. No other Test batsman had matched Craig’s feat as of 4 October 2018.

Twelve players have hit a six as their first scoring shot in Test cricket, most recently India’s Rishabh Pant, off the bowling of Adil Rashid, against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, UK, on 18 August 2018. It was Pant’s second ball faced in the Test arena.

Craig’s man-of-the-match-winning performance also featured bowling figures across both innings of 8 for 188 (4 for 91 and 4 for 97). No other New Zealander has taken as many wickets on Test debut.

ESPN Cricinfo commentary: “Down the pitch, and he’s hit his first ball in Test cricket over long-off, clean as a whistle. What a shot!”

Craig took a single off the second ball he faced (the unlucky bowler was slow left-armer Sulieman Benn) before New Zealand declared on 156 for 8. The visitors went on to win the match by 186 runs. NB: Craig didn’t bat in New Zealand’s first innings (508 for 7 declared).