R.E. Foster's 287 on Test Debut — Sydney 1903

Foster, born in Malvern in 1878, was one of the famous Foster brothers — seven Worcestershire cricketers known collectively as 'Fostershire'. He was also a double international, having won five England football caps. By 1903 he had played fewer than 100 first-class matches and had not toured before. His selection for Warner's MCC side was made partly on his amateur status (the side had to be balanced) and partly on form: he had hit a double-hundred for Oxford against Cambridge in 1900.

The MCC tour itself was historic: it was the first time the MCC, rather than a private promoter, had organised an England tour to Australia. The decision to entrust Warner — uncapped as captain — set the template for English tours for the next 70 years.

MacLaren had refused to tour after being passed over. Australia, led by Monty Noble, were expected to dominate. England arrived to muted press coverage; Foster himself had played only three first-class matches in the previous twelve months and was rusty.

Plum Warner's MCC team — the first official tour to Australia — arrived as underdogs after four straight Ashes losses. Warner had to reshape the team after Archie MacLaren publicly objected to his appointment, and the press ridiculed several selections. Among them was R.E. Foster, the Worcestershire amateur, batting at six on debut.

In the first Test at Sydney, beginning 11 December 1903, England won the toss and were 73 for 3 when Foster joined Len Braund. Foster would bat through that day, all of the next, and into the third for 287, an innings of nearly seven hours containing 37 fours. He shared a 130-run partnership with Braund, then 192 for the last wicket with Wilfred Rhodes (40 not out) — a tenth-wicket Test record that endured for over a century.

Foster's 287 was the highest score in Test cricket until Andy Sandham's 325 in 1930. It remains, more than 120 years on, the highest score by a Test debutant. Foster also held the record for the highest Test score at the SCG until Michael Clarke's 329 not out in 2012. England won the match by five wickets and went on to take the series 3-2, regaining the Ashes.

“He has placed his name on a pinnacle that may never be reached again.”

Warner's side won the second and fourth Tests too, taking the series 3-2 and ending Australia's run of Ashes wins. Warner published 'How We Recovered The Ashes' on his return — a book whose title revived the Ashes terminology and helped fix it in popular usage.

Foster's later career was curtailed by ill-health (he was diabetic before insulin was available) and business commitments. He played only seven more Tests, captaining England in three home matches against South Africa in 1907 — making him the only man to captain England at both cricket and football. He died in 1914 aged just 36.