Which cricketer holds the record for the highest ODI score on debut?
(6 November 2002)

February 22, 1978 marked the debut of one of the greatest openers of all-time. The Barbados player in question went on to become the world's leading run-getter in ODIs, while forging the most durable opening partnership in contemporary cricket at the international level with Gordon Greenidge.

But on that memorable day at St John's, Antigua, the 22-year-old Desmond Haynes was just another cricketer in a side bristling with some of the most incandescent names in Vivian Richards, Alvin Kallicharan and Andy Roberts. But Haynes took little time to make his impression. Despite an unsteady opening against the scorching pace of Jeff Thomson, he displayed an unflappable temperament and a dazzling array of strokes, while stroking his way to 148 off 136 balls, an innings that included 16 fours and two sixes. With skipper Deryck Murray weighing in with 51 and extras contributing a meaty 31, the hosts reached 313-9 in their 50 overs.

Australia were always struggling from there on. Despite a personal of 87 from Gary Cosier, the tourists could only make 181-6 in the 36 overs before bad light stopped play. Haynes was fittingly named Man of the Match after his side's 45-run win. But a more sweet reward for him was the honour of having made the highest score by an ODI debutant. It continues to remain a record 24 years on.