While Afghanistan just completed their close T20I series victory against the hosts Zimbabwe, they are now ready for the ODI series. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the Test squad for the upcoming Test series against the hosts Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe are set to host a two-match Test series against Afghanistan. While the Test series opener has been set for Boxing Day, the second Test will be the New Year Test. Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo) will host both the Test matches. 

Afghanistan lost both Tests in 2024

Afghanistan have played two Tests this year, where they suffered defeats against the hosts Sri Lanka and against Ireland in Abu Dhabi. They also had another Test scheduled against New Zealand at Greater Noida, which was completely washed out without a toss. Out of their nine overall Tests, Afghanistan won three games and lost six Tests. 

In March 2021, Afghanistan hosted two Tests against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. After losing the first Test by 10 wickets, the Afghans beat the Chevrons by six wickets in the next Test.

Seven uncapped players in the Afghanistan Test squad

The ACB has announced an 18-member full squad for the upcoming away Test series against Zimbabwe. Seven uncapped players have been named in this squad. 

Allrounder Ismat Alam, left-arm spinner Zahir Shehzad, and left-arm quick Bashir Ahmad Afghana are the fresh names in the Afghanistan national team squad. Meanwhile, the other four uncapped Test players are Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Riaz Hassan, and Sediqullah Atal, who have white-ball experiences for the national team. 

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah achieves new Test milestone after a six-fer in Brisbane

Rashid Khan last played a Test in March 2021

Rashid Khan, who has played five Tests, is returning to the longer format after more than three years. He last played a Test match in March 2021 when they beat Zimbabwe for the first time. 

Afghanistan's complete Test squad for Zimbabwe tour

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Afsar Zazai (wk), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, and Fareed Ahmad Malik

Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and India at Brisbane brought back the thrill. After Day 1 was marred by rain and left fans disappointed, today’s uninterrupted play offered some brilliant cricketing action. Australia ended the day in a commanding position at 405/7, with significant contributions from Travis Head, Steve Smith, and Alex Carey’s late cameo, it was a tough day for India. Only Bumrah shone once again, but there were many exciting moments of action that you wouldn’t want to miss. Let’s dive into the top 5 moments that defined the day!

5. Siraj Silences the Crowd by Dismissing Cummins

Siraj, who faced constant booing from the Australian crowd, turned things around brilliantly by taking the crucial wicket of skipper Pat Cummins. Before this delivery, he bowled a bouncer that flew high past both the batsman and the keeper, resulting in wide and byes adding 5 runs. But on the very next ball, Siraj delivered a beauty to bowl Cummins out. His composed celebration said it all as the crowd was left stunned, marking a special moment in what was otherwise a tough day for Indian bowlers.

4. Travis Head’s Back-to-Back Hundreds

Travis Head continued to shine with yet another century, following his heroics in Adelaide. Starting confidently, he dismantled the Indian bowling attack with his aggressive approach. The Gabba crowd erupted as he reached his ton, flicking the ball between mid-wicket and mid-on for three runs. His signature celebration — bat raised, helmet perched on the bat handle, and hands pointed skyward — followed by a kiss on the Australian crest, was met with a standing ovation. A moment of sheer brilliance for Head and the fans!

3. Steve Smith’s Comeback Century

Steve Smith ended his 18-month century drought in style, scoring his 33rd Test hundred. This milestone not only marked his personal comeback but also cemented his place as Australia’s second-highest century-maker in Test cricket, surpassing Steve Waugh. The crowd rose to their feet to applaud his achievement, and Smith’s graceful celebration added to the significance of the moment.

2. Labuschagne’s Wicket Sparks Kohli’s Fiery Celebration

Marnus Labuschagne was looking solid in his partnership with Steve Smith when Nitish Reddy bowled a fuller delivery that Labuschagne edged to Virat Kohli. The dismissal ignited a fiery celebration from Kohli, who put a finger to his lips, silencing the crowd in support of Mohammed Siraj, who had been targeted earlier. This moment was a testament to Kohli’s passion and resilience, electrifying the atmosphere at the Gabba.

1. Siraj vs Labuschagne: The Funny Exchange of Bails

A light-hearted moment stole the show in the 38th over. Labuschagne left a delivery in his unique style, and Siraj came closer to the wicket and flipped the bails off the stumps. Labuschagne, not one to back down, walked back and reset the bails in the same manner. The playful exchange had the crowd in splits, highlighting the amusing side of the intense game. This moment perfectly captured the spirit of cricket and left fans grinning ear to ear.

What was your favorite moment from Day 2? Was it Siraj’s wicket, Head’s century, or the lighthearted exchange between Siraj and Labuschagne? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The 23-year-old right-arm quick bowler Jayden Seales has run riot with the ball in Sabina Park, Kingston. Seales has produced a ground-breaking performance in the second Test to sink Bangladesh for 164. The youngster has etched his name in the record books by achieving astonishing bowling figures of 4-5 in 15.5 overs making him the most economical bowler in Test cricket since 1978 (Minimum 10 overs bowled)

See also: Watch: Bihar teenage spinner Suman Kumar takes all 10 wickets

More about Seales' hostile bowling spell

The Trinidad-born speedster bowled a little over 15 overs on the trot which featured 10 maides and four wickets in the form of Litton, Taskin, Mehidy, and Rana. What's even more impressive is that Seales only managed to concede five runs and went at a jaw-dropping economy rate of just 0.31 RPO. No extras our boundaries were recorded in his marathon 15.5 over long spell. 

The economy rate of 0.31 RPO is now the best economy rate for any bowler in Test cricket. Seales is now ahead of Umesh Yadav and Manindar Singh on the list who are currently holding the best economy rate of 0.42 and 0.43 respectively. Apart from Seales, Umesh and Lyon are the other two bowlers to register such record-low economy rates of less than one run per over in the 21st century.

Bangladesh were cruising along at 83-2 but an unprecedented burst of hostile pace bowling from Seales and Roach triggered a catastrophic batting collapse for the visitors as they lost their remaining eight wickets for only 81 runs. Seales now averages 13.55 and has taken 18 wickets in four Test matches against Bangladesh so far.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by ESPNcricinfo (@espncricinfo)

How is the game set up? 

After bundling out the tourists for 164 thanks to some spirited bowling from the Windies quicks, West Indies adopted a patient approach and posted 70 for the loss of one wicket before the call of stumps one day two. The hosts are in a commanding position and trail by another 94 runs with their skipper Kraig Brathwaite currently unbeaten on 33*.

Former all-format Bangladeshi opener Imrul Kayes officially announced his retirement from the red-ball cricket arena via a video message on his Facebook page on Wednesday. In that video, the 37-year-old stated that the first-class game against Dhaka Division on November 16th will be the last game of his professional cricketing career in the longest format. However, he added that he will continue to feature in white-ball matches in the domestic arena.

In his now-viral video on social media, Kayes admitted that it was indeed a hard decision for him to quit red-ball cricket from an emotional perspective. 

"On November 16, I will retire from Test and first-class cricket. It is the most difficult and emotional decision of my life."

See also: Shakib Al Hasan reported for suspect bowling action while playing for Surrey

An overview of his record in Test and First-Class cricket

Kayes made his debut for Bangladesh at a very young age of 21 against New Zealand in a one-day international back in 2008. In his 11-year-long career, the Khulna-based batter went on to represent his national side across all three formats. However, he contributed the most in the ODI format. In 78 ODI innings, Kayes made some invaluable contributions at the top with his former opening partner Tamim Iqbal and churned 2434 runs at a healthy average of 32.02. Moreover, the most number of international centuries (four) came in this format alone.

The elegant left-handed opener was equally capable in the red-ball format too. Out of 39 Tests, batting predominantly at the top of the order and occasionally at No. 3, he piled up 1797 runs at a modest average of 24.28, with three centuries and four fifties. Kayes last featured in this format way back in 2019 in a day-night Test match at Eden Gardens where Bangladesh were handed a terrible hammering by the hosts India by an innings and 46 runs.

But his record in domestic FC cricket is by far the most formidable. After being involved in the domestic circuit for nearly two decades, Kayes has featured for his domestic side in as many as 137 FC games in which he amassed over 7000 runs with 20 centuries and 27 half-century scores to his name. These are some commendable stats and the former Bangladeshi top-order opener can certainly take pride in maintaining such an accomplished track record.

His opening partnership with Tamim Iqbal

More than his personal milestones, Kayes is highly renowned for the partnership that he shared with Tamim at the top of the order. The duo formed one of the most successful opening stands for Bangladesh in ODI and Test cricket. During Bangladesh's formative years, the pair would often get Bangladesh off to a blazing start with Tamim playing the role of the aggressor while Kayes would be keen to play the anchoring role to hold one end intact.

They remain Bangladesh's most prolific opening pair by far, having added 2336 runs in 53 innings. The second-best opening pair for Bangladesh is between Javed Omar and Nafees Iqbal who have added 665 runs between them.  The average first-wicket partnership between Imrul and Tamim amounts to 45.8 which is by far the best for any Bangladesh opening pair.

Imrul and Tamim notched up four century opening stands escorting Bangladesh out of precarious situations in quite a few instances. The first of the lot was an unbelievable 185-run stand at Lords on a difficult seaming wicket while the last one was a world record stand of 312 runs in the fourth innings against Pakistan in 2015 which helped the Tigers save the Test match despite conceding a mammoth lead of 296 runs. With that stand, the pair went on to register their names in the record books as that was the only 300-plus opening stand to have ever been recorded in the fourth innings of a Test match.

Imrul is currently 70 runs away from reaching the milestone of 8000 runs in first-class cricket. He will have the opportunity to achieve this accomplishment in Mirpur, where his final match is set to commence on November 16.

See also: ICC confirms Pakistan as Champions Trophy host amid India-Pakistan tensions

While India celebrated the opening day of the Pune Test against New Zealand with strong bowling performances, the batting collapse put the hosts in danger of losing the Test as well as the home series against New Zealand. Can we see any dramatic comeback from the hosts? In other words, is there any previous Test match history of successful fourth innings chasing after getting behind 100 or more runs at the end of the first innings battles? 

Leading the three-match away Test series by 1-0, New Zealand captain Tom Latham chose to bat first in the second Test at Pune. While India can’t afford another defeat in this home Test series, which is also a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, another win for the Blackcaps will only mean their historic Test series win in India.

India are in deep trouble at Pune Test

On the opening day of the Pune Test, New Zealand were bowled out for 259 runs. While Ravichandran Ashwin (3/64) picked up the first three wickets, Washington Sundar recorded his first Test fifer and ended with the bowling figures of 23.1-4-59-7 on his Test comeback.

Starting the second day of the Pune Test at 16/1, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and the no.4 batter Shubman Gill took the team to score 50 runs. But then the hosts lost wickets quickly, as India lost five wickets to score the next 50 runs.

Apart from Jaiswal (30), Gill (30), and Ravindra Jadeja (38) all other Indian batters failed to reach the 20-run mark as India were bundled out for only 156 runs. New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner also claimed a seven-wicket haul (7/53), as he recorded the third-best bowling figures by a New Zealand bowler against India in a Test innings. 

New Zealand started their second innings with a 103-run lead. At the end of the second day, the visitors scored 198/5 with a lead of 301 runs. Although Washington Sundar also picked up four wickets in the second innings (4/56) and already completed his first Test 10-wicket haul, the achievement has been overshadowed.

Is there any chance for India at the Pune Test?

Now the question is, can India turn the table in the fourth innings? New Zealand’s lead has already crossed the 300-run mark, and the visitors will surely add some more important runs on the third day. So, it means that the hosts India will have to chase a big fourth innings target in the Pune Test.

What do the records say?

Here, we will only discuss Test matches in which a team had a 100+ run deficit at the end of the first innings battles but still successfully chased the fourth innings target to record a stunning win. This means that the team batted first in the second innings of a Test match and wasn’t forced to follow on.  

Talking about Indian cricket history, we have seen this picture only once. Yes, only once India won a Test match by successfully chasing a fourth innings target despite trailing by 100+ runs at the end of the first innings battles.

Historic 1978 Port of Spain Test

It was the historic 1978 Port of Spain Test match against India. After the hosts West Indies scored 359 runs, India were all out for 228 runs as the visitors were trailing by 131 runs. The hosts set a 403-run target after declaring their second innings for 271/6. 

While none of the Indian batters managed the half-century mark in their first innings, opener Sunil Gavaskar scored 102 runs, while Mohinder Amarnath was run out for 85 runs, and Gundappa Viswanath was run out after scoring 112 runs. Also, Brijesh Patel scored 49 not out as the Bishan Bedi-led Indian team won that match by six wickets after reaching the target in 147 overs after losing four wickets.

2001 Kolkata Test can't join the upper list

There was another such incident in Indian cricket, which is unforgettable. During the historic 2001 Kolkata Test, India suffered a 274-run deficit. However, India were enforced to follow on, and Australia batted the fourth innings to chase the 384-run target. By bowling out the visitors for 212 runs, India clinched a famous Test win. However, it can’t be considered in the upper list due to India’s follow on and Australia’s batting in the fourth innings. 

Overall Test cricket history

In Test cricket history, 23 matches experienced a successful fourth innings chase for a team despite trailing by 100+ runs at the end of the first innings battle (excluding the 2000 Centurion Test between South Africa and England, which experienced a 0/0 declaration from England and forfeited innings from South Africa). England have recorded it 10 times. 

In the meantime, in the list of leading by more than 100 runs at the end of the first innings battles and still failing to defend the fourth innings target, New Zealand recorded it four times, twice at home and twice away. 

How many times are the 300+ runs chased in the fourth innings in India? 

Talking about the fourth innings target chase in India, 300+ runs have been chased only once. During the 2008 Chennai Test against England, India successfully chased a 387-run target after losing only four wickets.

So, we can see there are a few past records that can still favours team India in the current situation at the Pune Test, but those were highly rare occurrences. 

It was a moment of joy for the visitors as South Africa produced a special victory against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur to take an early 1-0 lead in a two-match Test series. The match came to a close during the early hours of day four as South Africa managed to get the most out of the second new ball to wind up the Bangladeshi tail in quick time. Needing only a meager 106, South Africa comfortably got home with seven wickets to spare. Kyle Verreynne was the standout batter for South Africa as his 114 not only bailed the visitors out of imminent danger but also put them on the patch of an emphatic win. 

This victory also marked the first Test win for the Proteas in 10 years on Asia soil. The last time the African nation emerged victorious in the subcontinent was way back in 2014 against Sri Lanka in Galle. In the process, South Africa have also managed to put an end to their embarrassingly long losing streak of nine Tests on Asian soil. The losing streak was initiated during their tour to India from Nagpur in 2015.

Historic first Test win against Bangladesh since 2008

Rabada, Mulder, and Maharaj ran riot to snap three wickets apiece to obliterate Bangladesh for only 106. While doing so, Rabada also succeeded in getting past the 300 Test wickets landmark. But by the end of day one, thanks to some resilient bowling from Taijul, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 108-6. on day two, Verreynne put his hand up and along with the assistance of Mulder, started performing the repair work for the visitors. The pair batted under testing conditions to add a galloping 119 runs for the seventh wicket to virtually bat the hosts out of the game. 

After amassing a lead of 202 runs, the writing was on the wall for Bangladesh. Nevertheless, Mehidy and Taijul tried to battle it out to delay the inevitable but South Africa came top on day four to prevent the Bangladeshi lead from going much further beyond their control.   Verreynne did not have to bat again in the second innings as De Zorzi and Stubbs slammed steady cameos of 41 & 30 respectively to steer South Africa to a seven-wicket win.

Interestingly enough, this is also South Africa's maiden Test win in Bangladesh in 16 years. Their last away test win against the Tigers came in 2008 in Chattogram when Smith along with McKenzie starred with the bat to register a mammoth opening stand of 415 runs which at present is still the highest-ever recorded opening stand in Test cricket. 

This win has now bettered South Africa's chances of entering the WTC Final. As a result, South Africa have improved their PCT to 47.62% and have surpassed New Zealand in the WTC points table to acquire the fourth spot. 

It took a moment of absolute brilliance from Sarfaraz to dismiss Will Young who was batting nicely on 26 during the second Test of the three-match Test series in Pune. Yong had got a faint glove on the way while guiding the ball down the leg side off the bowling of Ashwin who came in to bowl from over the wicket. There was a hesitant appeal from team India at first which was swiftly dismissed by the umpire Richard Illingworth. But Sarfaraz, who was standing at leg slip was confident that he had heard something and pleaded with the Indian skipper to go for the review. 

Rohit at first was not confident about going upstairs but after intense pleading from Sarfaraz and several other close-in fielders, the Indian skipper signaled for the DRS referral. 

Watch the dismissal unfold here:

in #2nd_Test
Keeper Bowler Captain kisi ko nahi Suna
Sarfaraz khan Bola Please Mujh Par Bharosa Karo.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/wkyTUNmMqp

— A. Wahid (@A__Wahid) October 24, 2024

After winning the toss, the Kiwi skipper made the decision to bat first. The visitors made a steady start and were cruising along nicely at 76-1. The wicket fell during the last ball of the 24th over of the New Zealand innings. Ashwin was the bowler who floated a traditional off-break delivery outside the line of leg stump. Young tried to nude it fine down the leg side and Pant took a good take behind the stumps.

At first impression, it appeared that Young had not got anything on it. But the DRS review revealed that the ball was passing very close to his glove. Ultraedge was needed to ascertain whether there was any willow involved. Subsequently enough, the ultra-edge technology returned positive visuals for team India and its fans as the big screen showed a whisker of a spike when the ball passed close to his gloves.  

The on-field decision was overturned which helped India earn a vital second wicket to break the momentum of the visitors. At the time of writing, New Zealand concluded the first session by posting 92 for the loss of 2 wickets at Lunch with Ravindra and Conway still unbeaten. 

Sri Lankan cricketer Kamindu Mendis has set a new world record in Test cricket by scoring at least 50 runs in an innings in each of his first eight Test matches. 

Hosts Sri Lanka are busy in the two-match Test series against New Zealand. After winning the first Test by 63 runs, Sri Lanka started the second or last Test of the series strongly by scoring 306/3 at the stumps of day one.

SEE ALSO: Nicholas Pooran achieves massive six-hitting milestone in 2024

Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten half-century

Although Pathum Nissanka (1) was dismissed in the first over, his opening partner Dimuth Karunaratne (46) provided a solid start for the hosts with Dinesh Chandimal, who scored a century (112). 

Before the stumps of the day, Angelo Mathews scored 78 not out and Kamindu Mendis scored 51 not out. 

50+ scores in most successive Tests from debut

With his latest half-century, Kamindu Mendis recorded at least one half-century in each of his first eight Tests. It has set a new record in the list of 50+ scores in most consecutive Test matches from debut. Pakistan cricketer Saud Shakeel was the previous record holder by recording it seven times. While Mendis equalled Shakeel’s record during the previous Test, where the left-handed batter scored a century, he broke it in the ongoing Test match by completing a half-century. 

Players with 50+ scores in most successive Tests from debut

Kamindu Mendis' batting performances in first seven Tests 

During Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 2022, Kamindu Mendis made his Test debut at Galle. On his Test debut, Mendis scored 61 runs. Early this year, Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, where Mendis scored 102 and 164 runs at Sylhet. In the next Test, Mendis scored 92 not out and nine runs. 

In the recently concluded England tour, Mendis started the Test series with 12 and 113 runs at Manchester. In the Lord’s Test, the left-handed batter scored 74 and four runs. In the third Test at The Oval, Mendis scored 64 runs. 

In the first Test of the ongoing home series against New Zealand at Galle, Mendis scored 114 and 13 runs. 

The 30-year-old Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been forgotten in Test cricket. However, the all-rounder can return to red-ball cricket as per the latest reported development. 

During the 2017 Galle Test against the hosts Sri Lanka, Hardik Pandya made his Test debut. In his 11 Tests, Hardik scored 532 runs (average 31.29) and took 17 wickets for the national team. The right-handed batter hit one century and four half-centuries in his Test career. The right-arm pacer also recorded one Test five-wicket haul. 

SEE ALSO: Pant strikes back with fiery 50 in Test cricket after 638 days; Fans get crazy

Hardik Pandya last played a first-class match in December 2018

Hardik last played a Test match in September 2018 during the Southampton Test against the hosts England.  

Due to recent injury and fitness issues, pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik is majorly active in white-ball cricket. Hardik played his last first-class match in December 2018 when Baroda faced Mumbai at Wankhede. 

In his 29 first-class matches, Hardik scored 1351 runs (average 30.02) and took 48 wickets. Apart from his one century and ten half-centuries, he also secured three five-wicket hauls in his first-class career.

Hardik Pandya is likely to play in the upcoming Ranji Trophy

In a recent CricTracker report, a source in the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) claimed that Hardik will serve for Baroda in domestic cricket in the ongoing season. Apart from playing in List A and T20 cricket, the all-rounder is also likely to represent Baroda in the first-class competition. It means that the all-rounder is likely to participate in the upcoming Ranji Trophy. 

Earlier, Hardik clarified why he didn’t participate for Baroda recently in first-class cricket. Pointing out his lack of fitness level and preparation for Test cricket, the all-rounder felt it wouldn’t be unethical to take up one deserving spot.

Hardik also added that he wouldn’t jump to red-ball cricket until he finds himself eligible for the format. As the all-rounder is reportedly eyeing a return to first-class cricket, it won’t be wrong to say that he is trying to make a comeback in Test cricket.

Recently, Hardik had an important role in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy success. 

India will travel to Australia in November for a five-match Test series. In mid-2025, India will also tour England for another five-match Test series. If Hardik returns to red-ball cricket, he can play a crucial role in the upcoming challenging foreign tours for Test cricket.  

Sri Lankan cricketer Kamindu Mendis has started his Test career in a great way. His dream run in Test cricket continues in the home Test series opener against New Zealand. The left-handed batter has equalled a world record in Test cricket.

Galle is hosting the first Test of the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The Test series opener has a rest day on September 21 due to presidential elections in the country. 

On the opening day of the Galle Test, Kamindu Mendis slammed his fourth Test hundred in his 11th Test innings. Mendis is playing his seventh Test match, where the left-handed batter has recorded four centuries and four half-centuries.

SEE ALSO: ICC delegation set to inspect security measures in Pakistan; Here is why?

Kamindu Mendis equalled the record for 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from a debut

Completing his fifty runs in 73 balls with the help of six fours, Kamindu Mendis equalled a world record in Test cricket. Scoring at least one half-century in all of his first seven Tests, the 25-year-old equalled the record for 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from a debut. 

In 2023, Pakistan cricketer Saud Shakeel set up the record for 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from a debut by recording it in seven successive Tests.

Players with 50+ scores in most successive Tests from debut

Kamnidu Mendis' early Test career  

Before the ongoing Galle Test, Kamindu Mendis recorded at least one half-century in his first six Tests. On his Test debut at Galle in July 2022, Mendis scored 61 in his Test debut innings. 

During their Bangladesh tour last March, Mendis scored 102 and 164 runs in the Sylhet Test, 92 not out, and 9 runs in the Chattogram Test. 

Sri Lanka played three Tests in their recently concluded England tour. After scoring 12 and 113 runs in the Manchester Test, the left-handed batter Mendis scored 74 and 4 runs in the Lord’s Test. During the Oval Test, Mendis scored 64 runs during his team’s first innings. 

In the ongoing Galle Test against New Zealand, Kamindu Mendis played an important role for Sri Lanka on the opening day. He completed his fourth Test century in 145 balls and scored 114 runs off 173 balls (11 fours) before getting out late on the opening day. His batting helped the hosts score 302/7 at the stumps of the day.