Test cricket is rated by many as the best format of the sport. The teams compete in red-ball cricket or pink-ball matches wearing whites in this format. Initially, there was no concept of having names or numbers behind the jersey in this format, but after the introduction of the ICC World Test Championship, the players wear names and numbers behind their back.
This format has evolved a lot as the years have progressed. There was an era of timeless Tests, followed by concepts of overseas tours and then the era of the World Test Championship. Every cricketer aims to play at least one Test for his nation.
Quite surprisingly, the following three players made their debuts for a country, scored a hundred and then retired. Here’s a list of three such players.
1. Gary Ballance announced retirement yesterday
Former England and Zimbabwe batter Gary Ballance stunned the world by announcing his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect yesterday. Ballance had just made his debut for the Zimbabwean cricket team and scored a hundred against the West Indies cricket team in the only match he played for the African team.
It was quite shocking to see him hang up his boots at the age of 33. Perhaps, it was his final goal to score a hundred for the country of his birth.
2. Andy Ganteaume
Before Gary Ballance, two such batters accomplished this feat. One of them is Andy Ganteaume, who achieved the feat while playing for the West Indies. He scored 112 against England in 1948 and never played for the West Indies again.
3. Rodney Redmond
Former New Zealand cricketer Rodney Redmond is the final name to feature on the list. Redmond made his debut for the Blackcaps in 1973 against Pakistan, scored a century and never played another match.
