List of cricketers who have taken five-wicket hauls on Test debut

In cricket, a five-wicket haul (also known as a "five-for" or "fifer")^[1][2] refers to a bowler taking five or more wickets in a single innings. This is regarded as a notable achievement.^[3] As of February 2024,171 cricketers have taken a five-wicket haul on debut in a Test match.^[4] Players from 11 teams that have permanent Test status have picked up five-wicket hauls on their debut, apart from Ireland.^[4] This comprises 51 of them being taken by England cricketers, thirty-four by Australia, twenty-five by South Africa, twelve by Pakistan, ten by West Indies, nine by New Zealand, nine by India, eight by Bangladesh, six by Sri Lanka, two by Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.^[5]

Australian cricketer Billy Midwinter was the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to take a five-wicket haul on debut.^[4] He took five wickets for 78 runs in the first innings of the inaugural Test match in March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Two other players, Englishman Alfred Shaw (five for 38) and Australian Tom Kendall (seven for 55), also took fifers in the same match. Midwinter's and Kendall's performances ensured Australia's 45-run victory over England.^[6] Albert Trott's eight wickets for 43 runs in the second innings of the third Test of the series against England in 1894–95, are the best bowling analysis by any bowler on Test debut.^[4][7][8] Six, thirteen and thirty-six bowlers from four, five and nine different nations respectively, have taken eight, seven and six wickets in a Test innings on debut. Eighty-seven players from all Test playing nations have taken five wickets at their debut in Test cricket.^[7] The latest cricketer to achieve this feat is Nijaat Masood with 5/79 against Bangladesh.^[9]

As of 2021, eleven players have picked up two five-wicket hauls on their Test debut. English cricketer Fred Martin was the first player to do so whereas Afghanistan's Nijat Masood is the latest bowler to take two five-wicket hauls on debut.^[10]