Dream starts – the 10 highest individual scores on ODI debut
Making a debut in international cricket brings immense pressure, but some batsmen treat their first outing as just another day at the office – or dare we say, as the best day they will ever have at the office.
Over the history of One Day Internationals, a select group of players have shattered nerves and records alike by compiling massive centuries in their very first match.
From modern-day power-hitters to legendary openers of the 1970s, here are the top 10 highest individual scores recorded on an ODI cricket debut.
1. Jordan Hermann (South Africa) – 150 vs Namibia, Windhoek (2026)
In 2026, young South Africa opener Jordan Hermann put on a spectacular show for the travelling fans in Windhoek, matching the world record for the highest score on an ODI debut.
Playing against Namibia, the highly rated youngster batted with unmatched maturity and paced his innings beautifully to finish on exactly 150 runs. His spectacular masterclass ensured that South Africa firmly holds a grip on the ultimate crown at the top of this prestigious list.
Ironically Hermann was only playing in the game given the fact that a host of regular were being rested and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (who may well have got the nod ahead of him) was injured.
2. Matthew Breetzke (South Africa) – 150 vs New Zealand, Lahore (2025)
Just a year before Hermann’s feat, fellow South African Matthew Breetzke completely rewrote the history books during a historic clash in Lahore.
Opening the batting against a world-class New Zealand attack, Breetzke put on an absolute clinic of modern stroke play.
He effortlessly marched his way to 150 runs, combining raw power with elegant placement to break a legendary, decades-old international milestone with an innings that made it look like he had been playing ODIs for years.
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3. Desmond Haynes (West Indies) – 148 vs Australia, Antigua (1978)
For nearly five decades, legendary West Indian opener Desmond Haynes held the record for a highest score by a debutant.
Playing against a fierce Australian side in Antigua in 1978, Haynes played an aggressive innings that was regarded as being far ahead of its time, as he hammered 148 runs off just 136 balls.
It was an iconic introduction that paved the way for one of the greatest opening partnerships in cricket history alongside Gordon Greenidge.
4. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) – 127 vs Ireland, Abu Dhabi (2021)
Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed why he is regarded as one of modern cricket’s cleanest strikers during his debut appearance against Ireland.
Playing in Abu Dhabi, Gurbaz took the attack to the opposition bowlers from the very first over, smashing eight massive sixes and nine fours. His blistering 127 off 127 balls laid the perfect foundation for a memorable victory.
5. Mark Chapman (Hong Kong) – 124* vs United Arab Emirates, Dubai (2015)
Long before he switched allegiance to represent New Zealand on the international stage, Mark Chapman made global headlines while playing for Hong Kong.
Making his ODI debut against the UAE in Dubai, the young left-hander played an absolute blinder.
Chapman blazed his way to an unbeaten 124 off just 116 balls, dismantling the opposition bowling and becoming the first player from an Associate nation to score an ODI debut century.
6. Colin Ingram (South Africa) – 124 vs Zimbabwe, Bloemfontein (2010)
Bloemfontein witnessed a piece of South African cricket history in 2010 when Colin Ingram became the first Proteas batsman to smash a century on his ODI debut.
Taking the Zimbabwean bowlers to all parts of the ground, Ingram blasted 124 runs off just 126 balls, a fiery innings decorated with eight boundaries and two towering sixes.
His stellar performance guided his team to an emphatic win. While Ingram’s effort has now been passed by other Proteas it is curious that there are so many South African players who make this list.
Reeza Hendricks also bagged a century on debut although he has now dropped off the bottom of the list.
7. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 122* vs West Indies, Auckland (2009)
Martin Guptill’s introduction to ODI cricket was nothing short of spectacular. Facing a formidable West Indies side in Auckland, the elegant opener carried his bat through the innings, finishing on an unbeaten 122 off 135 deliveries.
Blasting eight fours and two sixes, Guptill became the first New Zealand player to score a century on ODI debut, establishing himself as a permanent mainstay of the Black Caps’ top order.
8. Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 115 vs Sri Lanka, New Plymouth (1992)
Arguably Zimbabwe’s greatest ever batsman, Andy Flower announced himself to the world during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. On his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in New Plymouth, the gritty wicketkeeper-batsman struck a magnificent, unbeaten 115.
Though Zimbabwe narrowly lost the high-scoring affair, Flower’s debut century set the benchmark for what was to become a celebrated international career.
9. Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – 113 vs Ireland, Benoni (2016)
Before he became South Africa’s reliable national captain, Temba Bavuma made a loud statement in his first ODI appearance against Ireland.
Opening the innings in Benoni, Bavuma batted with superb composure, striking 13 fours and a six on his way to a match-winning 113 runs. The knock proved his versatility across formats and marked the arrival of a future leader.
10. Phil Hughes (Australia) – 112 vs Sri Lanka, Melbourne (2013)
The late Phil Hughes gave Australian fans a masterclass in Melbourne when he stepped out for his ODI debut against a potent Sri Lankan bowling attack. Opening the batting, Hughes anchored the innings beautifully, compiling a precise 112 off 129 balls.
His knock included 14 boundaries and helped set up a comfortable victory for Australia, suggesting the immense talent he possessed.
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