What feels harder: scoring a hundred on Test debut, or finding another hundred in your final Test appearance under pressure? Surprisingly, only five established Test batters have completed both parts of this rare career bookend across cricket history so far. Moreover, centuries in first and last cricket matches demand early nerve, lasting quality, and fortunate timing around retirement as well.
The records are held by Reggie Duff, Bill Ponsford, Greg Chappell, Mohammad Azharuddin, and former ENG opener Alastair Cook, of course. Khelofun details their stats and also states why it has not happened yet in 2026.
The Five-Player Record: Centuries in First and Last Cricket Matches
First, centuries in first and last cricket matches means scoring hundreds during separate debut and farewell Test matches. Therefore, one-Test careers a
international cricket records are excluded because the same appearance becomes both the player’s first and final Test. This definition keeps comparisons fair across international cricket history and avoids mixing different statistical categories.
| Player | Country | Debut Test century | Final Test century |
| Reggie Duff | Australia | 104 vs England, Melbourne, 1902 | 146 vs ENG, The Oval, 1905 |
| Bill Ponsford | Australia | 110 vs England, Sydney, 1924 | 266 vs ENG, The Oval, 1934 |
| Greg Chappell | Australia | 108 vs England, Perth, 1970 | 182 vs PAK, Sydney, 1984 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | India | 110 vs England, Kolkata, 1984 | 102 vs SA, Bengaluru, 2000 |
| Alastair Cook | England | 104* vs India, Nagpur, 2006 | 147 vs India, The Oval, 2018 |
Reggie Duff Established the Record
Interestingly, Duff made 104 from number ten on his 1902 Test debut against England. Then, his 146 at The Oval completed centuries in first and last cricket matches. Moreover, those two hundreds were his only Test centuries across 22 matches.
Bill Ponsford Signed Off With 266; Greg Chappell With 182
| Player | Debut Test Record | Final Test Record | Key Highlight |
| Bill Ponsford | Scored 110 vs ENG at Sydney on Test debut. | Scored 266 vs ENG at The Oval in his final Test. | Shared a 451-run partnership with Don Bradman during Australia’s innings. |
| Greg Chappell | Scored 108 vs England at Perth on Test debut. | Scored 182 vs Pakistan at Sydney in his final Test. | Scored centuries in both his first and last Test appearances. |
Mohammad Azharuddin Added an Indian Milestone
Similarly, Azharuddin scored 110 against England, then made hundreds in his next two Tests. Therefore, that start still stands out among international cricket debut records today. Finally, his 102 against South Africa completed centuries in first and last cricket matches.
Alastair Cook Completed the Modern Five
However, Cook added unusual symmetry because both career bookends came against India. He hit 60 and 104* at Nagpur, then ended with 71 and 147. Consequently, his 2018 farewell became the latest example of 100’s in first and last matches.
Why the Centuries in First and Last Cricket Matches Achievement Remains Rare
Above all, centuries in first and last cricket matches demand quality at very different career stages. A debutant must settle immediately, while an older player must retain form until final selection. Therefore, retirement timing adds another variable that most international cricket records never require.
Meanwhile, final international innings records can cause confusion when readers interpret this milestone too literally. For example, Ponsford made 266 in his final Test’s first innings, then scored 22. Therefore, this record concerns the final Test match rather than the literal final innings.
The 2026 Record Position
As of August 2026, centuries in first and last cricket matches remain a five-player completed-career record. Moreover, Australia contributes three names, while India and England contribute one player each. Cook remains the newest member, while final international innings records remain a separate statistical category.
Conclusion
Khelofun states that few batting records frame an entire career as neatly as this unusual Test achievement does for these five famous players. Moreover, centuries in first and last cricket matches connect first-day uncertainty with the demands of a final appearance across generations. Duff started the pattern, while Ponsford, Chappell, Azharuddin, and Cook added different career stories across changing cricket eras and generations.
Still, the numbers matter because each score comes from a verified match rather than a loosely defined farewell innings alone. Ultimately, 100s in the first and last centuries in first and last cricket matches remain rare because talent, longevity, selection, timing, and form must meet together.
FAQs
1. Is there any player name who scored a double 100 in their final Test?
Yes. Bill Ponsford scored 266 against ENG at The Oval in 1934, the highest farewell-Test score among these five players.
2. Did Reggie Duff score his debut century from the lower order?
Yes. Duff scored 104 while batting at number ten against ENG in Melbourne during his Test debut in 1902.
3. Which country has the most players on this rare list?
Australia leads with three players: Reggie Duff, Bill Ponsford, and Greg Chappell. India and England have one each.
4. Does the century need to come in the player’s final innings?
No. The record counts a century anywhere in the final Test match, so it does not need to occur in the player’s last innings.
