The List – 1993's Ashes Debutants

Cricket365
August 21, 2013

Wednesday saw more than two players debut in an Ashes Test for the first time since 1993, when Michael Slater, Andy Caddick, Peter Such and Brendon Julian debuted in the first Test in Manchester – and Mark Ilott, Martin McCague, Graham Thorpe and Mark Lathwell debuted in Nottingham.

The fifth Test of the 2013 Ashes series is seen by many as a deadrubber, with England already holding a three-nil advantage. The one aspect that does add some spice to the occasion is that there are three players making their debuts, namely: James Faulkner of Australia and Chris Woakes and Simon Kerrigan of England.

The last time that three or more players made their debuts in an Ashes Test came way back in 1993. In the first of the 1993 series four players were given their first cap, two from each side. In the third Test as many as Englishman were handed debuts.

Many of these players did not manage to take the step up to the Test level completely, but a few grabbed the opportunity with both hands and became household names around the world.

Here is a list of the players that made their debuts in the 1993 Ashes series and a brief summary of what they managed to achieve in their careers.

First Test, Manchester

Brendon Julian was a left-arm opening bowler. He claimed three wickets on debut and bowled steadily, but his career did not take off from there. His Test career lasted seven matches, in which he took 15 wickets @ 39.93.

Michael Slater was an attacking right-handed opening batsman scored a half century in his first Test innings. His career grew from this foundation as he went on to play 74 Test matches for Australia, amassing 5312 runs @ 42.83. He formed an integral part of the almost invincible Australian side of the late 1990s.

Andy Caddick was a solid right-arm opening bowler. He took just one wicket on debut, but his work ethic resulted in him representing England on 62 occasions, taking 234 wickets @ 29.91.

Peter Such was an off-break bowler who burst onto the Test match scene, taking eight wickets on debut, including six in the first innings. The explosive start did not, however, materialise into a long career as he only played 11 Tests for England. His statistics make for very tidy reading in the matches that he did play, claiming 37 wickets @ 33.56.

Third Test, Nottingham

Mark Ilott was a left-arm seam bowler who earned five Tests caps for England. The four wickets that he took on debut would turn out to be one of his best results as a Test player as his career ended with 12 wickets @ 45.16.

Mark Lathwell was a right-handed opening batsman that only appeared in two Tests for England. He scored a 20 and a 30 on debut, but needed to turn a start into a big score if he wanted a permanent place in the starting XI. He ended up scoring 78 runs @19.50.

Graham Thorpe was a left-handed middle order batsman who scored an unbeaten century on debut that earned him the Man of the Match award. He kicked on from the impressive start and earned 100 Test caps for England, scoring 6744 runs @ 44.66.

Martin McCague partnered Ilott with the new ball and took four wickets in the first innings, but none in the second. When all was said an done, the right-arm fast bowler's career totally three Tests, with six wickets @ a high 65.00 to show for his effort.

This fifth Test is therefore a very special occasion as it witnesses three debutants for the first time in 20 years. It will be interesting to see if any of the newcomers manage to cement a permanent position in their respective countries starting XIs.