Hong Kong's captain Rahul Sharma got his name inscribed into record books in the opening match of Asia Cup against Bangladesh.
The former Ranji player (he played one match for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh in 1986-87 scoring 16 runs in the only innings) was 43 years and 306 days old while making his one-day international debut in the Asia Cup on Friday.
Not quite the age to launch an international cricket career one would imagine!
In the entire history of the game, only two players - Netherland's Nolan Clarke (47 years 240 days) and England's Norman Gifford (44 years 359 days) - have made their debut at an older age than Sharma.
The accompanying table lists the oldest debutants in one-day internationals:
| Age | Player | Countries | Venue | Date |
| 47 yrs 240 days | NE Clarke | Ned v NZ | Baroda IPCL | 17-02-1996 |
| 44 yrs 359 days | N Gifford | Eng v Aus | Sharjah | 24-03-1985 |
| 43 yrs 306 days | R Sharma | HK v BD | Colombo SSC | 16-07-2004 |
| 43 yrs 236 days | JL Louw | Nam v Zim | Harare | 10-02-2003 |
| 43 yrs 112 days | GJAF Aponso | Net v NZ | Baroda IPCL | 17-02-1996 |
| 43 yrs 41 days | DJ Pringle | EA v Ind | Leeds | 11-06-1975 |
| 42 yrs 330 days | SW Lubbers | Ned v NZ | Baroda IPCL | 17-02-1996 |
| 42 yrs 110 days | CEB Rice | SA v Ind | Calcutta | 10-11-1991 |
| 42 yrs 104 days | FJ Titmus | Eng v NZ | Dunedin | 08-03-1975 |
| 42 yrs 19 days | RB Simpson | Aus v WI | St.John's | 22-02-1978 |
| 41 yrs 182 days | DB Close | Eng v Aus | Manchester | 24-08-1972 |
| 40 yrs 341days | IL Philip | Sco v Aus | Worcester | 16-05-1999 |
| 40 yrs 39 days | O Henry | SA v SL | Wellington | 02-03-1992 |
Note: East Africa's PG Nana is believed to have made his debut around 42, but no authentic information is available about his date of birth.
Sharma also became the second oldest player to captain his side for the first time after England's Norman Gifford who was 44 years 359 days old when he led England at Sharjah in Rothmans Trophy in 1984-85.
| Age | Player | Countries | Venue | Date |
| 44 yrs 359 days | N Gifford | Eng v Aus | Sharjah | 24-03-1985 |
| 43 yrs 306 days | R Sharma | HK v BD | Colombo SSC | 16-07-2004 |
| 42 yrs 330 days | SW Lubbers | Ned v NZ | Baroda IPCL | 17-02-1996 |
| 42 yrs 110 days | CEB Rice | SA v Ind | Calcutta | 10-11-1991 |
| 42 yrs 19 days | RB Simpson | Aus v WI | St.John's | 22-02-1978 |
| 41 yrs 182 days | DB Close | Eng v Aus | Old Trafford | 24-08-1972 |
| 40 yrs 264 days | DS de Silva | SL v NZ | Dunedin | 02-03-1983 |
| 40 yrs 146 days | AJ Traicos | Zim v NZ | Hyderabad (Ind) | 10-10-1987 |
© 2024 Rediff.com -