The ICC Cricket World Cup stands as a stage where the world’s finest cricket talents congregate. Throughout its long history, this respected tournament has bore witness to several memories. Among these, a feat that cricket fans commonly find awe-inspiring is a player getting a century during their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Hitting a century in your very first appearance on the grand stage of cricket is a real sign of a player’s skill, poise, and talent for handling the immense pressure that comes with it. In this article, we’ll delve into the rich history of the ICC Cricket World Cup and take a deeper look at the extraordinary batsmen who have managed to accomplish this uncommon and remarkable feat.
Here’s the elite list of batsmen who have hit a century on ICC Cricket World Cup debut:
1 – Dennis Amiss (England) – 1975 :
The 1975 ICC Cricket World Cup highlighted a significant period in cricketing history, and Dennis Amiss left an unforgettable impact by achieving a spectacular feat. Representing England, he gained the distinction of becoming the first batsman to make a century in his World Cup debut.
2 – Glenn Turner (New Zealand) – 1975 :
In the 1975 ICC Cricket World Cup, Glenn Turner, making his debut, accomplished a remarkable feat by entering the century club alongside Amiss. Turner’s extraordinary performance of an unbeaten 171 against East Africa displayed his exceptional talent and marked the beginning of a prosperous international cricket career.
3 – Allan Lamb (England) – 1983 :
In the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup, Allan Lamb’s brilliant century against Australia marked his remarkable debut on the global cricketing scene. His superb innings of 102 runs proved to be a vital role in England’s passage to the semi-finals of that competition.
4 – Trevor Chappell (Australia) – 1983 :
In the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup, Trevor Chappell made a significant mark for Australia by delivering a stellar performance. His debut century, scoring 110 runs against India, not only showcased his exceptional batting skills but also played a pivotal role in Australia’s convincing victory. This remarkable match took place in Nottingham and will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.
5 – Geoff Marsh (Australia) – 1987 :
In the 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup, Geoff Marsh shone brightly. He was Australia’s opening batsman and he showcased his remarkable talent by crafting an unbeaten century, scoring 110 runs against New Zealand. This remarkable achievement placed him among the select few who have managed to score a century in their very first appearance in a World Cup match.
6 – Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 1992 :
Andy Flower of Zimbabwe left an indelible mark on the 1992 World Cup, with his elegant and poised century of 115* against Sri Lanka. This exceptional innings not only showcased his immense talent but also foreshadowed his future as one of Zimbabwe’s cricketing legends.
7 – Nathan Astle (New Zealand) – 1996 :
Nathan Astle of New Zealand etched his name into World Cup history during the 1996 tournament with a truly unforgettable century against England. His dazzling knock of 101 not only left a lasting mark but also paved the way for a rather successful World Cup journey for his team.
8 – Gary Kirsten (South Africa) – 1996 :
In the 1996 World Cup, Gary Kirsten showcased his remarkable skill and determination while playing for South Africa. His unforgettable performance included a debut century of 188 not out against the United Arab Emirates, a score that still ranks among the highest individual scores ever recorded in World Cup history.
9 – Scott Styris (New Zealand) – 2003 :
Scott Styris, celebrated for his remarkable all-round skills, truly demonstrated his batting prowess during the 2003 World Cup. His debut century, where he amassed an impressive 141 runs against Bangladesh, was a splendid display of carefully balanced aggression.
10 – Craig Wishart (Zimbabwe) – 2003:
In the 2003 World Cup, Craig Wishart of Zimbabwe made an impressive debut, cementing his place among the elite century-makers in cricket history. His remarkable unbeaten 172 against Namibia showcased his absolute dominance on the pitch.
11 – Andrew Symonds (Australia) – 2003 :
Andrew Symonds, the Australian cricket all-rounder, left an indelible mark on the cricketing world with his explosive World Cup debut in 2003. His remarkable unbeaten century of 143* against Pakistan showcased his remarkable talent for reshaping a game through his aggressive batting style.
12 – Jeremy Bray (Ireland) – 2007 :
Jeremy Bray’s remarkable century against Zimbabwe during the 2007 World Cup not only etched his name in the annals of cricketing history but also marked a pivotal moment for Irish cricket. His masterful, unbeaten 115 played the role of the anchor, steering Ireland to a memorable triumph.
13 – Virat Kohli (India) – 2011 :
Virat Kohli made a dazzling entry onto the World Cup scene in 2011, leaving an indelible mark. His maiden century, an unbeaten 100 against Bangladesh, served as an early preview of the extraordinary talent that would eventually establish him as one of the contemporary cricket legends.
14 – Aaron Finch (Australia) – 2015 :
In the 2015 World Cup, Aaron Finch of Australia truly displayed his formidable batting skills. He kicked off his remarkable campaign with a spectacular century, scoring 135 runs against England. This incredible performance laid the foundation for Australia’s triumphant journey, leading them to their fifth World Cup championship.
15 – Devon Conway (New Zealand) – 2023 :
In the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Devon Conway made an unforgettable debut with an exceptional century. His outstanding performance of 152 not out against England in the tournament’s first match truly highlighted his immense talent.
16 – Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) – 2023 :
During the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup match against England, Rachin Ravindra made a remarkable debut by scoring a century. His outstanding performance of 123* runs in the tournament opener not only showcased his incredible talent but also marked his introduction to the international cricket stage.
