Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket: The top 10 fastest centuries in Test cricket are: McCullum (54 balls), Misbah/Richards (56), Gilchrist (57), Gregory (67), Chanderpaul/Warner (69), Gayle (70), Fredericks/de Grandhomme (71), Khan/Dev/Azharuddin/McCullum (74), and de Villiers (75).
Key Takeaways
- Brendon McCullum holds the record for the fastest Test century (54 balls).
- The top 5 fastest Test centuries were scored between 1921 and 2016.
- Australian and West Indian batsmen feature prominently in the list.
- Most of these quick centuries were scored against strong bowling attacks.
- The WACA in Perth has been a common venue for rapid centuries.
Top 10 Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket
The art of scoring a Test century requires patience, skill, and endurance. However, some batsmen have defied convention by reaching this milestone at breakneck speed. Let’s explore the top 10 fastest centuries in Test cricket history.
1. Brendon McCullum (54 balls) – New Zealand vs Australia, 2016
In his final Test match, Brendon McCullum bid farewell to international cricket in spectacular fashion. Playing against Australia in Christchurch, McCullum smashed a century off just 54 balls, breaking the previous record by two deliveries. His innings of 145 off 79 balls included 21 fours and 6 sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style one last time on the international stage.
2. Misbah-ul-Haq (56 balls) – Pakistan vs Australia, 2014
Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq, known for his calm demeanor, surprised everyone with a blistering knock against Australia in Abu Dhabi. He equaled Viv Richards’ long-standing record by reaching his hundred in 56 balls. Misbah’s innings helped Pakistan set a daunting target, eventually leading to a comprehensive victory.
3. Vivian Richards (56 balls) – West Indies vs England, 1986
The “Master Blaster” Viv Richards held the record for the fastest Test century for nearly three decades. His explosive innings came against England in Antigua, where he reached his hundred in just 56 balls. Richards’ knock was a display of raw power and timing, characteristics that defined his illustrious career.
4. Adam Gilchrist (57 balls) – Australia vs England, 2006
Adam Gilchrist, one of cricket’s most destructive batsmen, unleashed his fury on the English bowling attack during the 2006 Ashes series in Perth. His century off 57 balls turned the match decisively in Australia’s favor. Gilchrist’s innings included 12 fours and 4 sixes, demonstrating his ability to dominate even in the longest format of the game.
5. Jack Gregory (67 balls) – Australia vs South Africa, 1921
Jack Gregory’s innings stands out not just for its speed but also for the era in which it was played. In an age when Test cricket was known for its slow pace, Gregory’s 67-ball century against South Africa in Johannesburg was nothing short of revolutionary. His record stood for an impressive 65 years before being broken.
6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (69 balls) – West Indies vs Australia, 2003
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, typically known for his patient batting, showed a different side of his game against Australia in Georgetown. His 69-ball century came at a crucial time for the West Indies, though it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. Chanderpaul’s innings proved that he could adapt his game to different situations when required.
7. David Warner (69 balls) – Australia vs India, 2012
David Warner’s aggressive batting style found its perfect expression at the WACA in Perth. Against a strong Indian bowling attack, Warner raced to his century in just 69 balls. His innings set the tone for Australia’s dominance in the match and showcased why he’s considered one of the most feared openers in world cricket.
8. Chris Gayle (70 balls) – West Indies vs Australia, 2010
Chris Gayle, the self-proclaimed “Universe Boss,” lived up to his reputation with a blistering 70-ball century against Australia in Perth. Known for his exploits in T20 cricket, Gayle showed that he could be equally destructive in the Test format. His innings included 9 fours and 6 sixes, a testament to his power-hitting abilities.
9. Roy Fredericks (71 balls) – West Indies vs Australia, 1975
Roy Fredericks’ 71-ball century came in one of the most famous Test matches played at the WACA. Facing Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson at their peak, Fredericks counter-attacked brilliantly, reaching his hundred in just 71 balls. His innings is often cited as one of the greatest counter-attacking knocks in Test history.
10. Colin de Grandhomme (71 balls) – New Zealand vs West Indies, 2017
Rounding off our list is Colin de Grandhomme’s surprise entry with his 71-ball century against the West Indies in Wellington. Coming in at number 7, de Grandhomme’s innings was a perfect blend of aggression and smart cricket, helping New Zealand to a strong position in the match.
Recent Developments and Notable Performances
While not directly impacting the top 5 fastest Test centuries, recent performances have added new dimensions to rapid scoring across formats:
- Josh Inglis’ T20I Record: Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis recently smashed the fastest T20I century for Australia, reaching the milestone in just 47 balls against Scotland. This performance, while in a different format, showcases the evolving nature of quick scoring in international cricket.
- Ollie Pope’s Unique Achievement: England’s Ollie Pope became the first cricketer in history to score his first seven Test centuries against seven different teams. His recent hundred against Sri Lanka at The Oval adds to this remarkable record, demonstrating his versatility against various bowling attacks.
- Joe Root’s Twin Centuries: At Lord’s, Joe Root broke multiple records by scoring twin centuries against Sri Lanka. This performance not only highlighted Root’s consistency but also his ability to score quickly when needed, pushing him higher in the list of England’s most prolific Test centurions.
These recent performances, while not all in Test cricket, reflect the changing dynamics of batting across formats. They remind us that while the list of fastest Test centuries may not change frequently, the spirit of aggressive batting continues to evolve.
These rapid-fire centuries not only entertained cricket fans worldwide but also changed the course of their respective matches. They serve as a reminder that even in Test cricket, known for its patient approach, there’s always room for explosive batting that can turn the game on its head in a matter of overs.
FAQs
Who Has The Fastest Century In Test Cricket?
Brendon McCullum holds the record for the fastest century in Test cricket, scoring 100 runs off just 54 balls against Australia in 2016.
Which Cricketer Has Broken The Fastest Test Century Record?
Brendon McCullum broke the record for the fastest Test century in 2016, surpassing the previous joint record of 56 balls held by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq.
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