The significance of a Test century

A century scored on debut is a special achievement, doing it in India is even more impressive. Alviro Petersen become only the third South African to score a century on debut after Andrew Hudson (163 against West Indies at Bridgetown in April 1992) and Jacques Rudolph (222 not out against Bangladesh at Chittagong in April 2003).

Petersen came into the test team due to the injury to Mark Boucher. Ashwell Price dropped down the order to cover for Boucher, and Petersen opened the batting in place of Prince. Petersen’s century is a significant one, it ensured that this first class South African record of 1376 runs in the 2008-09 season in 15 matches, including six centuries was recognised, and it showed he has what it takes to step up to the pressure of Test cricket.

To put Petersen’s century as an opening batsman in perspective, consider this; In just this one innings Petersen has scored more runs than Prince has scored in his last nine inning (98). Prince has an average of 10.89 over those nine innings, and has not scored a half century in Test cricket in 11 months.

Ashwell Prince is more than likely playing in his last Test match, Mark Boucher will return to reclaim his position behind the wickets, I can’t see Prince boarding the plane to the Kingston, Jamaica when the Proteas take on the West Indies in a three match Test series.