OTD in 1996 Robert Samuels scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand

April 26, 1996, was a memorable day for West Indies cricket, as a young 25-year-old batsman named Robert Samuels announced his arrival on the Test scene with a brilliant century against New Zealand. Samuels, a talented left-hander from Jamaica, was just beginning his international career. This was only his second Test match, having made his debut a few weeks earlier against the same opposition in Barbados.

The venue for this historic knock was the Recreation Ground in St. John’s, Antigua. The Windies lost the toss and were put in to bat first by the visiting skipper, Lee Germon. WI got off to a shaky start, losing opener Sherwin Campbell early. Samuels then played a masterclass. He displayed maturity beyond his years, combining elegant stroke play with a solid defense to frustrate the Kiwi bowling attack. He found able partners in Brian Lara, Phil Simmons, and Jimmy Adams, forging crucial alliances with each of them.

He went on to score 126 before being dismissed, his knock laced with 15 fours and three sixes. His innings was the cornerstone of a mammoth West Indies total of 548, which put them firmly in control of the match. New Zealand responded with a good batting performance themselves and the game eventually ended in a stalemate. However, the game was an important one as it gave people hope for a promising career. 

Unfortunately, Samuels could only play 6 Test matches as his inconsistency meant that he was discarded soon. While Robert Samuels’ Test career never quite reached the heights many predicted, his maiden century against New Zealand remains a significant moment in West Indian cricket history. It showcased the talent of a young batsman who had the potential to become a great. In recent times, Samuels has been in the news for holding coaching positions for West Indies’ women’s team.