Viljoen is not the first cricketer to take a wicket with his first ball in international cricket, but this is a very exclusive list, and Viljoen is the 20th bowler with this feat in Test cricket. 17 bowlers have done this feat in ODI cricket.
Viljoen was picked in the team ahead of Kyle Abbott for the 3rd Test, and what made the occasion even more special for the debutant was that he was bowling at his home stadium, The Wanderers.
However, bowlers who have taken a wicket with their first ball have often not enjoyed a very long international career, and Viljoen has to ensure he does not fall victim to this ‘curse’ as well. Of the 20 bowlers, only Maurice Tate, Intikhab Alam, Nathan Lyon and Shaminda Eranga have played in more than ten Tests.
Fidel Edwards and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the only bowlers to have taken a wicket with their first delivery in ODIs to have enjoyed relatively long careers.
Players of this exclusive list –
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