Bangladesh’ Taijul Islam created history during the fifth and final one-dayer against Zimbabwe on Monday, becoming the first player to claim a hat-trick on his one-day debut. His figures of 4 for 11 in seven overs, including two maidens, were also the tenth best for a bowler on his one-day debut. The slow left arm spinner’s effort won him the man of the match award as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 128. The performance also saw Bangladesh end up claiming the ODI series 5-0. A look at some of the top performances by bowlers on one-day debut.
Fidel Edwards: The West Indian fast bowler holds the record for the best bowling performance on one-day debut. Bowling at raw pace, he picked up 6 for 22 in seven overs with one maiden. Edwards’ scalps included all proper batsmen like Vusi Sibanda, Barney Rogers, Mark Vermeulen, Craig Wishart, Stuart Matsikenyari and Tatenda Taibu. Zimbabwe were chasing 223 to win the clash in 32 overs, at the Harare Sports Club, on November 29, 2003. They ended up at 150 for 7, and that too mainly due to Taibu’s 66. Edwards had them struggling at 22 for 5.
Tony Dodemaide: The former Aussie fast bowler claimed 5 for 21 against Sri Lanka at Perth on January 2, 1988. Dodemaide sent down 7.2 overs to pick up his five sticks. His scalps included those of Asanka Gurusinha, Aravindra De Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Guy de Alwis and Graeme Labrooy. Sri Lanka were set 250 to win the game, and folded up for 168 in 44 overs. Batting first, Australia put up a competitive 249 courtesy half-centuries from David Boon and Dean Jones and key 30s from Allan Border and Steve Waugh. Dodemaide did the rest as the inexperienced Lankans collapsed under pressure.
Shaul Karnain: A right arm medium pace bowler, who played for Sri Lanka, Karnain picked up 5 for 26 in eight overs, with one maiden, against New Zealand at Moratuwa on March 31, 1984. Sri Lanka had only scored 157 for 8 batting first, but thanks to Karnain they managed to bowl out the Kiwis for a paltry 116. His scalps included those of Bruce Edgar, Geoff Howarth, Lance Cairns, Martin Crowe and Jeff Crowe. Earlier, Karnain also contributed with the bat to help Sri Lanka recover from a disastrous start. His 28 from 24 balls featured three fours and a six.
Austin Codrington: The medium pacer from Canada picked up 5 for 27 in nine overs, including three maidens, against Bangladesh at Durban on February 11, 2003 as part of the World Cup. Bangladesh were chasing only 181 to win the match, but Codrington helped bundle them out for 120. His wickets were those of Hannan Sarkar, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Rafique, Tapash Baisya and Mashrafe Mortaza. He was well-supported by Davis Joseph and John Davison, who claimed two wickets each. Batting at number 10, Codrington made 16 from 31 balls, which proved to be crucial in the context of the match.
--By A Cricket Analyst
