Cricket's unique list of Aussie Boxing Day debutants

AUSTRALIA'S MOST RECENT BOXING-DAY DEBUTANTS:-

Sam Konstas, 2024 v India

The Kid Konstas is unfazed by a nervous opening over where Jasprit Bumrah beats his bat four times. He immediately starts trying ramp shots on the Indian ace and his tactic succeeds spectacularly, rattling the tourists and prompting a shoulder bump from fiery star Virat Kohli. The teenager's 50 from 52 balls, on his way to 60 from 65, is the third-fastest Test half-ton on debut for Australia.

Scott Boland, 2021 vs England

Someone build the man a statue. Took 6-7 in the England's second innings to wrap up the Ashes for Australia in one of the all-time best debuts. Has been Australia's unlucky man since, playing 11 of 35 Tests, but will face India on Thursday.

Joe Burns, 2014 vs India

Called into Australia's team to bat at No.6 when Michael Clarke succumbed to injury, Burns made scores of 13 and nine in a high-scoring draw. The Queenslander's career went full circle, axed after his last Boxing Day Test in 2020. Now captains Italy.

Jackson Bird, 2012 vs Sri Lanka

A surprise debutant when Australian officials decided Mitchell Starc was red-lining and needed to be rested to protect him from injury. Bird struck in his second over and had tidy match figures of 4-61 against a woeful Sri Lanka. Played eight more Tests, and is still cleaning up in the Sheffield Shield.

Ed Cowan, 2011 vs India

The last Australian opener to debut on Boxing Day when he was called in to replace Phillip Hughes. Batted most of day one to hit a measured 68 and help lay the foundation of a series-opening win. Played 17 more Tests in a career that lasted just over 18 months.

Phil Jaques, 2004 vs South Africa

Another opener, this time brought into the side when Justin Langer was ruled out through injury. Jaques missed out in his first Test, out in the third over to Shaun Pollock. But he soon hit six straight scores above 50, including two big tons. Back injuries eventually stopped him adding to his 11 career Tests.

Martin Love, 2002 vs England

Unlike Sam Konstas, Love had to wait an age for his debut. Love made unbeaten scores of 62 and 6 at the MCG after coming in for Darren Lehmann. His career also went full circle when he scored 100no in his final Test against Bangladesh the following year, before making way for a fit-again Damien Martyn.

Brett Lee, 1999 vs India

It's now 25 years since one of the most memorable Boxing Day debuts, when Brett Lee ran through India at the MCG. The 23-year-old speedster bowled Sadagoppan Ramesh with his fourth ball and later took three wickets in the one over. That spell announced Lee as a force of Australia's attack for the next nine years.

Matthew Nicholson, 1998 vs England

Australia's first Boxing Day debutant in 11 years when he earned a Baggy Green after just six Sheffield Shield matches. Only a few months back from a bout of glandular fever that ruled him out for an entire season, the quick took four wickets for the match in what proved his sole Test.

Pre-1990 Boxing Day debutants: Gary Cosier (1975), John Maguire (1983), Greg Matthews (1983), Steve Waugh (1985) Tony Dodemaide (1987)