In a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by the iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan, a cricket-related question worth ₹50 lakh stumped a contestant. The question, which proved to be particularly challenging, was about a historical milestone in cricket – a double century on debut in First-Class cricket.
The ₹50 Lakh question: Audience poll and contestant’s decision
The question posed to the contestant legendary host was: “Who was the first batsman to score a double century on debut in first-class cricket?” the Bollywood superstar asked.
The four options provided were:
A: Arthur Shrewsbury
B: WG Grace
C: Doug Insole
D: Tom Marsden
Despite the audience overwhelmingly voting for option B (WG Grace), the contestant was uncertain and chose not to risk the ₹25 lakh he had already won. Deciding to play it safe, he opted to quit the game rather than proceed with the uncertain answer.
However, the correct answer to the question was option D: Tom Marsden, a relatively lesser-known cricketer from the early 19th century. Marsden achieved this remarkable feat while playing for Sheffield and Leicester against Nottingham, scoring an impressive 227 runs in his debut match.
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Forgotten hero of cricket
Tom Marsden, born on September 12, 1803, was a versatile English cricketer who excelled both as a batsman and a bowler. He was a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium-fast bowler. Throughout his first-class cricket career, which spanned from 1826 to 1841, Marsden played primarily for Sheffield and Yorkshire. In his 55 first-class matches, he scored 1,724 runs and took 97 wickets—making him a significant figure in the early days of cricket.
Marsden’s double century on debut remains one of his most notable accomplishments. He played his final first-class match in 1841, representing the North against the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Despite his contributions to the sport, Marsden’s career and achievements are not widely known in modern cricketing circles.
Tom Marsden passed away on February 27, 1843, leaving behind a legacy of cricketing excellence that still holds significance today.
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