Worst fc record prior to test debut

[social]

Given the upcoming (apparently) debut of Jason Krezja for Australia, I tried to think of another player whose performances at fc level prior to selection were as pitiful.

To put it into perspective, Krezja is (apparently) about to win a coveted test cap for the No.1 cricket nation in the world having compiled the stellar record of:

Bowling averages Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
First-class 23 3177 1955 43 4/91 45.46 3.69 73.8 1 0 0

Whilst I understand that there are extenuating circumstances behind his selection (basically, Oz hasnt got a spinner that can bowl a hoop down a hill), this is crap and devalues the baggy green!

Aside from those picked on pure potential with virtually zero fc experience or for poor teams (Xavier Marshall, Wasim, etc), I cant think of another player that has been chosen on such flimsy basis AND gone on to have a successful test career.

Maybe you guys can work statsguru better than I to come up with an example

 

[BoyBrumby]

Probably not in quite the same league, but Marcus Trescothick's FC batting average was 30.60 when he made his test debut as a specialist batsman.

He debuted in 2000 & as CricketArchive shows his stats didn't exactly demand selection.

 

[Goughy]

Probably not in quite the same league, but Marcus Trescothick's FC batting average was 30.60 when he made his test debut as a specialist batsman.

To top that.

Englands first black cricketer, Roland Butcher, averaged 27.77 over 6 or so seasons before going on the 1981 England tour to West Indies and playing as a specialist bat.

 

[NUFAN]

What was Gavin Robertson's average before his debut?

 

[Langeveldt]

I think Krezja still wins.. Who was that guy, Taylor, whose selection was so surprising they thought it was someone else? His record must have been pretty bad.. And Hauritz's? It's strange how very good sides sometimes pick the most woeful players (England - Mahmood, Australia - Krezja, South Africa - Tsolekile)

 

[Burgey]

I don't think SK Warne had a great FC record before his test call up, but then he hadn'tplayed that much IIRC. I think he'd been made 12th man for Victoria in the previous summer's Shield final (or at least I think I read that a few years ago).

 

[pup11]

I think Krezja still wins.. Who was that guy, Taylor, whose selection was so surprising they thought it was someone else? His record must have been pretty bad.. And Hauritz's? It's strange how very good sides sometimes pick the most woeful players (England - Mahmood, Australia - Krezja, South Africa - Tsolekile)

I think Hauritz's selection still had some merit at that time, he was considered to a good prospect, but his switch from Queensland to NSW really halted his growth as a bowler imo, his opportunities got limited and that effected him terribly, but he is still young and i think he should be picked as the spinner in the Australian ODI side, as far his FC career is concerned in think the only way to bring things back on track is probably to move from NSW back to Queensland where he is likely to get more opportunities as compared to NSW.

 

[Top_Cat]

What was Gavin Robertson's average before his debut?

In the 40's.

I think Krezja still wins.. Who was that guy, Taylor, whose selection was so surprising they thought it was someone else? His record must have been pretty bad.. And Hauritz's? It's strange how very good sides sometimes pick the most woeful players (England - Mahmood, Australia - Krezja, South Africa - Tsolekile)

Nah the mix-up with the Taylors was because Mark Taylor was right on the cusp of selection, belting runs against everyone, was in the news, etc. Then the selectors plucked Peter Taylor out of obscurity and everyone thought someone had told the wrong Taylor he was playing a Test. haha Peter did well on Test debut though; 8 wickets for the match and some runs to boot, getting man of the match.

I just had a look at the card and Peter Sleep played in that match too. Much have been a strange sight with two of the weirdest and most elaborate bowling actions of all time wheeling away from both ends for large parts of that match.

EDIT: And here's some footage, Pete Taylor from 1:16, Peter Sleep from about 5:31. Geez, some of the hairstyles..... Welcome to mullett town, population you, Australian Test team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F7_dTUNIgc

But yeah, I think Krejza will win the 'worst record before Tests' award if he gets a game.

 

[S.P. Fleming]

Hamish Marshalls first class record was something quite dismal when he debuted, so much so that many people thought is was a mistake and his brother James was meant to be there who had a better FC record.

 

[Mister Wright]

I think Hauritz's selection still had some merit at that time, he was considered to a good prospect, but his switch from Queensland to NSW really halted his growth as a bowler imo, his opportunities got limited and that effected him terribly, but he is still young and i think he should be picked as the spinner in the Australian ODI side, as far his FC career is concerned in think the only way to bring things back on track is probably to move from NSW back to Queensland where he is likely to get more opportunities as compared to NSW.

Hauritz really had no other choice. After returning from India he had a shocking series for QLD, and towards the end of the season he was dropped. He had to go somewhere. He actually wasn't contracted to NSW, but moved there anyway and ended up with a contract. A bold move given they had just recruited Casson from W.A. Early on in his career before Dan Cullen came on the scene he was offered a contract with S.A., but declined. Can't help but think if he had of taken up the offer, he could be a totally different player right now, especially given Terry Jenner works very closely with S.A.'s spinners (not that he's done much for the Cullens).

But, definitely agree with you in regards to our ODI spinner, he really should be fist choices. Almost head and shoulders above other OD spinners in the country, and is more than handy with the bat.

 

[Athlai]

My money would be on a player from Zim or Bangers, but if we don't count them then Pak, NZ or WI.

 

[Johnners]

Terry Jenner seems to have done not much for anybody tbh.

 

[Prince EWS]

Prosper Utseya's was pretty damn bad. Pretty similar to Krejza's really, in a far, far inferior competition.

 

[NZTailender]

Both Marshall's were pretty awful.


Like Krejza though.

 

[gettingbetter]

Casson's isn't that great either.

 

[aussie]

Some West Indian selectors this decade i.e Samuels. Edwards, Taylor, Marshall had poor FC records or none at all. Basically picked on potential.

 

[Richard]

I just had a look at the card and Peter Sleep played in that match too. Much have been a strange sight with two of the weirdest and most elaborate bowling actions of all time wheeling away from both ends for large parts of that match.

EDIT: And here's some footage, Pete Taylor from 1:16, Peter Sleep from about 5:31. Geez, some of the hairstyles..... Welcome to mullett town, population you, Australian Test team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F7_dTUNIgc

Haha, wow, stuff like that is gold-dust, thanks.

 

[Craig]

Some West Indian selectors this decade i.e Samuels. Edwards, Taylor, Marshall had poor FC records or none at all. Basically picked on potential.

Or how well you bowl in the nets.

 

[sledger]

I think Krezja still wins.. Who was that guy, Taylor, whose selection was so surprising they thought it was someone else? His record must have been pretty bad.. And Hauritz's? It's strange how very good sides sometimes pick the most woeful players (England - Mahmood, Australia - Krezja, South Africa - Tsolekile)

To his credit his wicket keeping was very good indeed, but indeed, his batting record was pretty poor.

 

[four_or_six]

Only needs another 420 runs to be hit off Krejza this match (assuming he doesn't take a wicket) for him to have a FC average over 50.