New Zealand’s Zakary Foulkes carved a remarkable milestone in his maiden Test appearance against Zimbabwe at Queens Park Stadium, Bulawayo. The 24-year-old fast bowler’s combined figures of 9 wickets for 75 runs established a new benchmark for the best bowling performance by a New Zealand player on Test debut. This feat eclipsed the previous record held by Will O’Rourkee, who had taken nine wickets for 93 runs against South Africa in Hamilton last year. Foulkes was instrumental in New Zealand’s overwhelming innings and 359-run victory in the second Test of the series. His four-wicket haul in the first innings, conceding only 38 runs, laid the foundation. He then sealed the dominant win by capturing five more wickets for 37 runs in the second innings. His match average of 8.33 ranks as the second-best ever recorded on a Test debut with twin four-wicket hauls, trailing only Australia’s Clarence Grimmett’s legendary 11 wickets for 82 runs at Sydney in 1925. Moreover, Foulkes’ strike rate of 16.6 deliveries per wicket stands as the third-best among debutants with twin four-fors, underscoring his lethal efficiency with the ball. Top Match Bowling Average on Test Debut (Two 4-Wicket Hauls) Player TEam Opponent Match Figures Bowling Avg Venue Year Clarence Grimmett Australia England 11/82 7.45 Sydney 1925 Zakary Foulkes New Zealand Zimbabwe 9/75 8.33 Bulawayo 2025 Frederick Martin England Australia 12/102 8.50 Oval 1890 Narinder Harvani India West Indies 16/136 8.50 Chennai 1988 Read also: Manish Gets Rajat Patidar’s Old Number, Police Step In Injury opens door for Foulkes, joining trio of debutants Originally absent from New Zealand’s squad, Foulkes earned his place following an injury setback to Nathan Smith after the first Test. The injury to Smith, compounded by Will O’Rourkee’s unavailability due to fitness concerns, paved the way for Foulkes’ inclusion in the playing eleven. Alongside fellow debutants Jacob Duffy and Matthew Fisher, Foulkes became one of three New Zealand players to earn their first cap in the match. This entry into the national side proved fortuitous as Foulkes quickly stamped his authority, joining the elite group of only three New Zealand bowlers—including O’Rourkee and Mark Craig—to take four-wicket hauls on debut. His extraordinary match figures contributed significantly to the team’s historic win and have instantly elevated his status within the cricket fraternity.