Who is the only Test player never to have batted, bowled or fielded? (16 July 2001)

Somerset and England batsman Jack MacBryan held a unique but unfortunate distinction for 76 years. His debut in the fourth Test against South Africa at Old Trafford in 1924 was severely curtailed by rain. Only 66.5 overs could be bowled, all on the first day. With South Africa electing to take first strike and losing four wickets for 116, MacBryan had no opportunity to display his prowess with the bat. Skipper JWHT Douglas was not inclined to offer him a spell with the ball either. And as all four batsmen dismissed were bowled or lbw, he was denied any possibility of taking a catch too. Omitted for the final Test, MacBryan never got a second chance to play for England, although he was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1925. He became the first Test player never to have batted, bowled or dismissed anyone in the field. No one came close to duplicating that unenviable feat...until the advent of HAPW (Prasanna) Jayawardene.

Jayawardene replaced Romesh Kaluwitharana as wicket keeper for the third Test against Pakistan at Kandy in June 2000. Down 0-2 in the series, Sri Lanka won the toss and batted but rain played spoilsport. A total of 155.4 overs were possible over the first three days, with none at all on the last two. In that time Sri Lanka proceeded to 467/5 but Jayawardene, due to bat at No.8, failed to get a knock. Not only did he do a MacBryan; he went one `better' by becoming the first Test player never to have batted, bowled or even taken the field. Unlike MacBryan though, Jayawardene is still only 21 and has ample opportunity to seek redress.

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