Test cricket fans were treated to some spectacular action from world-class Test players in 2022. Seeing England’s bazball playing style was something unique and exciting for those who appreciate the game’s longest format. On the other hand, Indian cricket fans would have been upset as they saw England’s newfound aggressive style in Tests demolish India’s aspirations to win a Test series in England for the first time in 15 years.
Some bowlers made a splash in Test cricket last year with stunning performances. Making their first appearances for their respective teams, the kids seized the chance with both hands and gave some outstanding bowling stats. These brave performances not only established their names in international cricket, but also helped significantly to the survival of the game’s longest format. More on it later-
Here are three bowlers who made their Test debuts in the preceding year.
Number 1. Matthew Potts vs New Zealand
Image Source – Twitter
England defeated New Zealand by a five-wicket margin at the renowned Lord’s ground. England controlled the game with great bowling and batting performances. Earlier in the game, after winning the toss, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson chose to bat first.
Anderson has been aggressive with the ball from the start of the game, removing New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Will Young early on. To make matters worse for the Kiwis, bowler Matthew Potts joined Anderson and used his disciplined bowling to dismantle the opposition’s batting line-up.
At the conclusion of the first innings, the kid and Anderson combined for a four-wicket haul, ending the Kiwi innings on 132. The English innings, however, folded in the first innings on 141. Kane Williamson and his team looked good in the second innings, scoring 285 runs to meet a tough goal of 277. Potts, on the other hand, gained more attention towards the conclusion of the game, emerging as the match’s top bowler with 4/13 and 3/55 bowling stats. The hosts comfortably defeated the visitors thanks to the 24-year-heroics old’s and Joe Root’s 115 in the second innings.
Number 2. Abrar Ahmed vs England
Image Source – Twitter
Pakistan welcomed the tourists at Multan after losing the first Test against England by 74 runs in Rawalpindi. English captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first before the game. Abrar Ahmed, 24, of Pakistan, got his maiden cap and shined in the game, offering some mind-blowing bowling numbers to his squad. The leg spinner got the game started quickly, dismissing English opener Zak Crawley.
After making the breakthrough, he got more aggressive against the English hitters, taking six more wickets in the first innings to finish with 7/114. With his outstanding performance, Pakistan finished the English innings on 281. However, Babar Azam and his team were unable to shift the match in their favour after failing to show up with the bat, scoring just 202 in reply.
After been exceptional with the ball in the previous innings, Abrar carried the momentum into the second innings as well, finishing the English innings on 275. He shook the stage once again in the second inning, this time hunting four batters. His 7/114 and 4/120 statistics, however, were in fruitless as England won the thriller by 26 runs and clinched the series.
Number 3. Prabath Jayasuriya vs Australia
Image Source – Twitter
After losing to Australia in the first Test of the home series, Sri Lanka needed to play spectacularly in the second Test. However, the hosts were successful thanks to rookie cricketer Parabath Jayasuriya. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, chose to bat first in the critical match at Galle.
Australia scored 364 points thanks to Steve Smith’s unstoppable 145 and Marnus Labuschagne’s lively 104. On the other hand, the left-arm spinner demonstrated his abilities by recording numbers of 6/118. During his remarkable run, he struck out numerous well-known hitters, including Labuschagne, Travis Head, and Alex Carey.
In response, Sri Lanka hitters pounced on the Australian bowling, hitting 554 runs to take a 190-run advantage. In the second innings, the 31-year-old appeared more aggressive with the ball and helped the squad to a 151-run victory. He assisted his club to a comprehensive win against the visitors by an innings and 39 runs, with 6/59 statistics. He was also named Player of the Contest at the conclusion of the match for his mind-boggling bowling stats.
