The upcoming first of two Test matches between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi will be the final Test match of 2022.
Despite the fact that the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 made T20 cricket the sport of the season, there were still some great matches between the best nations in red-ball cricket. All Test-playing nations gave their all to ascend the World Test Title (WTC) 2021-23 table and delivered some entrancing cricket simultaneously.
In addition, in the game’s longest format, a number of debutants impressed everyone. Despite beginning their national team careers in 2022, some players adapted to the situation like fish to water.
In light of this, let’s take a look at three bowlers whose Test debuts in 2022 were spectacular.
#3 Matty Potts – 4/13 and 3/55 vs New Zealand in London (Lord’s)
Matty Potts made his Test debut for England against New Zealand earlier this year at the storied Lord’s ground. His most memorable Test wicket was, as a matter of fact, Kane Williamson, who is important for the present-day ‘Fab-four’.
England went all out against New Zealand after they chose to bat first and were bowled out for 132 in 40 overs. Potts made his debut by dismissing Williamson with an out-swinging delivery in his very first over, while James Anderson set the tone by removing the Kiwi openers.
He quickly got rid of Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell, and Ajaz Patel as well, ending with a spell of 4/13.
The 24-year-old pacer took three more wickets in the second innings, including defeating Williamson for the second time.
England won the match by five wickets thanks to seven wickets taken by Potts at the conclusion. For his match-winning century in the fourth inning, Joe Root won Player of the Match honors.
#2 Abrar Ahmed – 7/113 and 4/120 against England in Multan
The most recent addition to the list, Abrar Ahmed blew England away with his skillful leg spin and shocked the cricket world.
Abrar took seven wickets in his first innings in his debut Test against England in Multan earlier this month. He left the English batters clueless.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the visitors, who led the three-match series 1-0, batted first. By lunch, they were down to 180/5 after 33 overs, and Abrar Ahmed took all five wickets.
Abrar used the turning track in Karachi to great effect and weaved his magic, which the England batters couldn’t read. After Wahab Riaz, Abrar was Pakistan’s second bowler to record a five-for on the first day of a Test match.
After lunch, he took two more, taking each of the first seven wickets, before Zahid Mahmood took the other three.
After a promising start that saw England reach 117/1, Abrar’s stunning debut saw them bowled out for 281.
After England had a significant lead of 79 runs in the second innings, Abrar once more proved to be a threat. Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in the innings was the 24-year-old mystery tweaker, who took a fantastic four wickets, including Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Joe Root, and Ollie Robinson.
Even though Pakistan lost the Test match in the end, Abrar’s skillful spell certainly made a statement.
#1 Prabath Jayasuriya – 6/118 and 6/59 against Australia in Galle
Despite only playing three Tests throughout the year, Prabath Jayasuriya finished 2022 as one of the best bowlers. The left-arm spinner has made a significant contribution to the Sri Lankan bowling attack. In just six innings, he has taken 29 wickets at an impressive average of 20.37.
When Sri Lanka’s wrecker-in-chief against Australia in the second and final Test in Galle in July of this year, Jayasuriya made a remarkable start to his Test career.
Sri Lanka made the wise decision to include Prabath Jayasuriya after the hosts suffered a 10-wicket defeat in the previous Test. The 31-year-old took a while to get his first Test wicket, which came from Marnus Labuschagne, but he never looked back as he added five more in a matter of minutes.
Dinesh Chandimal’s heroic batting efforts (206*) in the second innings gave Sri Lanka a 190-run lead.
Therefore, Sri Lanka recorded their very first innings triumph in Test cricket against Australia.
Jayasuriya finished the match with 12/177, which was the best debut performance by a Sri Lankan bowler and the fourth-best performance overall.