West Indies vs Zimbabwe in Harare, 2003

Entering a struggling Windies team 2-1 down in the series, the then 20-year-old speedster absolutely decimated the hosts. Starting with a blistering yorker that uprouted opener Barney Rogers’ middle stump, the debutant had a five-for inside the first eight overs as the Zimbos were reduced to 47 for six. Young Fidel eventually finished with six for 22 in Zimbabwe’s losing tally of 150 for seven, to date the best figures on ODI debut by any cricketer the world over.

England vs Pakistan in Manchester, 2003

In the first match of the NatWest Challenge, eager to make up for his second-ball quacker earlier, all-rounder Clarke removed the blossoming Imran Nazir with a rising delivery that Vikram Solanki duly snapped up at point. Later entrusted with the final over of the match and needing to bowl a maiden to tie the match, rookie Rikki failed to pull off a miracle as the hosts got off to a losing start.

Sri Lanka vs Kenya in Sharjah, 2003

Coming on first change in game four of the Sharjah Cup, the leg-spinner bagged the relatively prized wicket of Steve Tikolo as the Kenyan stalwart drove straight to short cover, edging Sri Lanka that much closer to a match they eventually won by a massive 129 runs.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein, 2002

Holding an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, the Proteas rested Makhaya Ntini and handed fellow Dale Collegian Zondeki his first cap. The gangly fast bowler grabbed the opportunity with both hands, claiming the scalp of veteran Marvan Atapattu as wicketkeeper Mark Boucher parried the edge to Andrew Hall at first slip. Zondeki was more economical and quicker than the legendary Allan Donald on the day as the Saffers won again.

South Africa vs Bangladesh in Kimberley, 2002

With the De Beers Diamond Oval taking quite a bit of turn and the medium-pacers spent, skipper Shaun Pollock tossed the ball to the part-time spinner in the closing overs of the Tigers’ knock. A ball later tail-ender Talha Jubair’s stumps were pegged back, the tourists were all out and van Jaarsveld had figures of 0/1 in 0.1. The tall right-hander followed that up with a whirlwind 42 as Pollock’s team romped home by seven wickets.

Kenya vs Zimbabwe in Nairobi, 1999

Needing to defend 199, Kenya had the Zimbabweans in a spot of bother when Ababu topped Thomas Odoyo’s removal of Grant Flower with the dismissal of the big-hitting Neil Johnson. Unfortunately for the hosts, Zim recovered from 31 for two as their middle-order carried them to a last-over victory.

West Indies vs India in Singapore, 1999

In the rain-effected third match of the Coca-Cola Singapore Challenge, with the win well in hand captain Brian Lara gave Hinds a chance to make up for his earlier shortcomings with the bat. Hinds stepped up, smiled wide, and finished off proceedings with the wicket of tail-ender Mannava Prasad courtesy the final delivery of the encounter.

India vs West Indies in Singapore, 1999

In the same match as Hinds’ consolation wicket, occasional off-spinner Ramesh was tonked mercilessly all over the park by Brian Lara but at least walked off the arena with the wicket of so-called pinch-hitter Nixon McLean.

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan in Peshawar, 1996

A match interupted due to crowd trouble saw the Zimbo fast bowler rip through the Pakistani top-order with three quick wickets, the first of which was the explosive Shahid Afridi. Following that up with the scalps of fellow debutant Zahoor Elahi and the promising Hasan Raza, he later also removed centurion Ijaz Ahmed. Unfortunately for the minnows, his fine four-wicket haul was later outshone by Saqlain Mushtaq’s four wickets in five balls as Matambanadzo and cronies were downed by quite a margin.

Pakistan vs West Indies in Faisalabad, 1991

The large frame of Inzy sent down all of 58 balls over a 16-year career. His efforts garnered him three wickets, the first of which was the legendary Lara. In an absolute turn up for the books, the then incumbent captain had the masterful batsmen embarrassingly caught behind off what can best be described as slow left-arm hopefuls. We just had to know if Inzy went on to even greater heights with the ball. Alas, a bit of digging revealed his other two wickets were merely tail-enders. And no, Lara’s embarrassment didn’t change the course of the match as the Windies won by 17 runs.

New Zealand vs India in Dunedin, 1990

At the turn of the decade in game one of the Rothmans Cup Triangular Series the Kiwis and India fielded no less than five debutants between them. One of the men donning a one-dayer jumper for his nation that day was the sensational Thomson. Introduced into the attack after Danny Morrison had put in the hard yards at the top of the Indian knock, Thomson quickly showed his senior team-mate how it was done, removing veteran Mohammad Azharuddin with his first ball and three deliveries later sent none other than Sachin Tendulkar packing. Another wicket to boot, and the hosts won the match by a pretty handsome tally.

Pakistan vs India in Lahore, 1982

Removing Kris Srikkanth with your maiden delivery in ODI cricket is no small achievement. However, having the in-form opener caught out was to no avail as Mother Nature stepped in and ruined the game just as it was heating up.Mahboob’s career didn’t pick up much thereafter as he went on to play a further nine limited overs games and one Test.

West Indies vs England at in The Oval, 1973

The legendary Lloyd played the first of his 87 ODIs in the Prudential Trophy, during which bowled the relatively unknown Mike Smith first up and later England skipper Mike Denness. Roy Fredericks then hammered a ton and the islanders won the match and the series.

England vs Australia in Manchester, 1972

The very first man to pull off the feat in the second ever ODI, Arnold bowled one Graeme Watson for a first-ball duck and later had even more reason to smile as the English triumphed over their arch rivals thanks to a century from Dennis Amiss.