5 Batting records held by bowlers in Test cricket

1. Fastest fifty on Test debut

Tim Southee is well known for his big-hitting especially in Test cricket as he finds himself among top six hitters of the format. Southee’s Test career began with an impressive knock when he smashed some big hits. He made his debut during the 2008 Napier Test where he picked up a 5-wicket haul on the opening day. However, England bounced back strongly in the 2nd essay to set a target of 553. The home team was reduced to 347/9 with two sessions of play still to be played.

Southee then took on the English bowlers smashing a record nine sixes and 4 fours. He finished unbeaten on 77 which came in only 40 deliveries. The No.11 batsman Chris Martin got out after being involved in an 84-run partnership for the 10th wicket which came in only 8.5 overs. Tim Southee raised his fifty in only 29 balls which is the only known fifty by a debutant in Test cricket in fewer than 35 balls. This fifty was also the then fastest for New Zealand in Test cricket.

Later, Southee also became the quickest to 1000 Test runs in terms of balls (1167). However, both those records were broken by Colin de Grandhomme who once scored a Test fifty in only 28 balls and reached 1000 runs in 1140 deliveries in Test cricket. Southee’s 9 sixes on Test debut are still a record as no other player struck more than four maximums in an innings on Test debut and none hit more than five sixes in their debut Test match.