The Fastest Century in Test Cricket – When Batsmen Turned Superheroes!
Test cricket is usually about patience, but some players have broken all rules and scored the Fastest Century in Test cricket in fewer balls than a T20 match!
Who are these players? How did they do it? And who holds the record for the Fastest Century in Test cricket ever?
If you love cricket, you CAN’T miss this!
Buckle up as we take you through the most explosive, jaw-dropping centuries in Test cricket history, where batsmen turned into unstoppable monsters!
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Fastest Century in Test Cricket
Cricket is a game of patience, skill, and sometimes, pure explosive batting.
While Test cricket is known for long innings, some players have shocked the world by scoring the Fastest Century in Test cricket in very few balls.
These innings are rare, thrilling, and unforgettable.
In this article, we will look at the fastest Test hundreds ever scored, the players who made them, and the matches where history was created.
Brendon McCullum
- Match: New Zealand vs Australia (2015/16)
- Venue: Christchurch
- Key Points:
- Brendon McCullum holds the record for the Fastest Century in Test, smashing 100 runs in just 54 balls.
- He was aggressive from the start, hitting 16 fours and 4 sixes.
- This was his last Test match, making it even more special.
- His fearless batting helped New Zealand put up a strong total, though Australia won the match.
McCullum’s innings was full of power-hitting, proving that Test cricket can also be exciting with fast scoring.
Read out – 35 Runs in 6 Balls! The Most Runs in Test in One Over – Full List!
Sir Vivian Richards
- Match: West Indies vs England (1985/86)
- Venue: St John’s
- Key Points:
- Sir Vivian Richards, one of the greatest batsmen, scored his Fastest Century in Test in 56 balls.
- His innings included 7 fours and 7 sixes.
- He dominated England’s bowlers with his attacking style.
- This knock helped the West Indies win the match easily.
Richards was known for his fearless approach, and this innings is still remembered as one of the best in Test history.
Misbah-ul-Haq
- Match: Pakistan vs Australia (2014/15)
- Venue: Abu Dhabi
- Key Points:
- Misbah-ul-Haq, known for his calm batting, shocked everyone with the Fastest Century in Test cricket in 56 balls.
- He equalled Viv Richards’ record.
- His innings had 11 fours and 5 sixes.
- Pakistan won the match by a huge margin.
Misbah was not known for aggressive batting, but this innings proved he could change gears when needed.
Read out – Most Runs in Test Cricket: Top 10 Run-Machines
Adam Gilchrist
- Match: Australia vs England (2006/07)
- Venue: Perth
- Key Points:
- Adam Gilchrist, one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batsmen, scored the Fastest Century in Test cricket in 57 balls.
- He hit 12 fours and 4 sixes.
- His innings helped Australia crush England in the Ashes.
Gilchrist changed the way wicketkeepers batted, and this innings was a perfect example of his attacking style.
Jack Gregory
- Match: Australia vs South Africa (1921/22)
- Venue: Johannesburg
- Key Points:
- Jack Gregory’s Fastest Century in Test came in 67 balls, a record that stood for decades.
- He was an all-rounder known for his aggressive batting.
- His century helped Australia win the match.
Gregory’s record was one of the earliest examples of fast scoring in Test cricket.
Read out – Rishabh Pant Stats: 7 Centuries, 6 Sixes & Records Broken!
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
- Match: West Indies vs Australia (2002/03)
- Venue: Georgetown
- Key Points:
- Chanderpaul, usually a defensive batsman, surprised everyone with the Fastest Century in Test cricket in 69 balls.
- He smashed 14 fours and 2 sixes.
- Despite his effort, the West Indies lost the match.
This innings showed that even defensive players can play aggressively when needed.
David Warner
- Match: Australia vs India (2011/12)
- Venue: Perth
- Key Points:
- David Warner, known for his explosive batting, scored the Fastest Century in Test cricket in 69 balls.
- His innings included 12 fours and 3 sixes.
- Australia won the match comfortably.
Warner’s aggressive style makes him one of the most feared openers in cricket.
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Chris Gayle
- Match: West Indies vs Australia (2009/10)
- Venue: Perth
- Key Points:
- Chris Gayle, the “Universe Boss,” scored the Fastest Century in Test in 70 balls.
- He hit 9 fours and 6 sixes.
- His innings was full of power-hitting.
Gayle is known for his big hits, and this innings was no different.
Roy Fredericks
- Match: West Indies vs Australia (1975/76)
- Venue: Perth
- Key Points:
- Roy Fredericks scored the Fastest Century in Test in 71 balls.
- His innings had 17 fours and 1 six.
- Despite his effort, the West Indies lost the match.
Fredericks was a stylish left-hander who played fearless cricket.
Read out – Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman: 400 Runs in One Inning?
Colin de Grandhomme
- Match: New Zealand vs West Indies (2017/18)
- Venue: Wellington
- Key Points:
- Colin de Grandhomme scored the Fastest Century in Test in 71 balls.
- He hit 9 fours and 3 sixes.
- New Zealand won the match easily.
De Grandhomme is known for his hard-hitting, and this innings was a perfect example.
Other Notable Fastest Centuries
Here are some more players who scored quick Test hundreds:
- Majid Khan (74 Balls) – Pakistan vs New Zealand (1976/77)
- Mohammad Azharuddin (74 Balls) – India vs South Africa (1996/97)
- Brendon McCullum (74 Balls) – New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (2014/15)
- AB de Villiers (75 Balls) – South Africa vs India (2010/11)
- Gilbert Jessop (76 Balls) – England vs Australia (1902)
- Brian Lara (77 Balls) – West Indies vs Pakistan (2006/07)
- Jonny Bairstow (77 Balls) – England vs New Zealand (2022)
- Shahid Afridi (78 Balls – Twice!) – Pakistan vs West Indies (2004/05) & Pakistan vs India (2005/06)
- Virender Sehwag (78 Balls) – India vs West Indies (2006)
- David Warner (78 Balls) – Australia vs Pakistan (2016/17)
- Chris Gayle (79 Balls) – West Indies vs South Africa (2003/04)
Conclusion
Scoring a Fastest Century in a Test is not easy.
It requires skill, timing, and fearless batting.
Players like McCullum, Richards, and Gilchrist have shown that Test cricket can be as exciting as T20S when played aggressively.
These records inspire young cricketers to play bold and entertaining cricket.
Who will break McCullum’s record next? Only time will tell!