Follow UsMitchell Hay has been a semi-regular in New Zealand’s white-ball setup over the last one year, and earlier this week, the 25-year-old got a well deserved maiden cap in Test cricket owing to an injury to incumbent Tom Blundell.
Hay, who averages over 48 in first class cricket, was due a Test cap and Blundell’s injury paved the way for it, with the right-hander making his debut in the ongoing second Test against the West Indies in Wellington.
And earlier today, on the second day of the Test, the 25-year-old had a fine start to his Test career as he notched up a steady fifty on debut, batting at No.6. Hay walked in at 117/4 with the Blackcaps having lost 2 wickets in 3 balls, and there was considerable pressure on the debutant as he strode to the crease. But the right-hander navigated the situation perfectly and ended up scoring 61 off 93 balls, a knock which consisted of 9 fours and a six, to help the Kiwis take a potentially decisive 73-run first innings lead.
On the back of the knock, Hay achieved a special feat as he became only the fourth-ever New Zealand wicketkeeper to post a fifty on Test debut. Incidentally, the man he replaced, Tom Blundell, was the last Kiwi keeper to do so.
New Zealand wicketkeepers to post fifty on Test debut
Brendon McCullum vs South Africa in Hamilton, 2004
Luke Ronchi vs England in Leeds, 2015
Tom Blundell vs West Indies in Wellington, 2017
Mitchell Hay vs West Indies in Wellington, 2025
Blundell, though, remains the only Kiwi wicketkeeper to post a century on Test debut. Incidentally, that feat was also achieved at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.