Fastest Century in Test cricket

In the history of Test cricket, where patience and resilience is often emphasized, there exists a set players who defy convention with their explosive batting. Brendon McCullum, in 2015, set the record for the fastest century in Test cricket, achieved in 54 balls. On that note, take a look at the list of top 10 fastest centuries in the longest format. 

List of 10 Fastest Century in Test Cricket

1. Brendon McCullum – 54 Balls

The year was 2015 when Brendon McCullum, playing his farewell Test match, unleashed an onslaught against Australia. In a display of sheer audacity and aggression, McCullum dismantled the opposition bowling attack with breathtaking strokes, reaching his century in a mere 54 balls.

McCullum swiftly reached his fifty in a mere 34 balls, marked by 6 boundaries and 3 mighty sixes. Following this milestone, his onslaught intensified, making his batting even more formidable. He played 101 Tests, scoring 6,453 runs with 12 hundreds and a highest score of 302. McCullum retired from all forms of cricket in 2019. 

2. Sir Vivian Richards – 56 Balls

Rewind to the mid-1980s, when the masterclass of Sir Vivian Richards left everyone in awe. Richards took the English bowlers to the cleaners, reaching his century in just 56 balls. This remained the record for the fastest century in Test cricket for the next 31 years.

Powered by seven boundaries and seven maximums, the right-handed batsman raced to 110 off only 56 balls, catapulting his team to a commanding total of 246 for 2. Consequently, the hosts clinched a resounding victory by 240 runs. His innings was a spectacle of pure dominance, proving why he is hailed as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. 

Read More: 10 Leading Wicket Takers in Test Cricket

3. Misbah-ul-Haq – 56 Balls

In 2014 in Abu Dhabi, the then Pakistani captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, scripted history with his whirlwind century against Australia. In a display of calm aggression, Misbah demolished the opposition bowling attack, reaching his century in a mere 56 balls and equalling Viv Richards’ record.

He previously shattered the record for the fastest Test half-century before lunch, achieving the feat in a mere 21 balls. Haq ended on an unbeaten at 101 from 57 deliveries. Chasing a daunting target of 603, Australia crumbled, managing only 246 runs in their second innings, losing by 346 runs.

4. Adam Gilchrist – 57 Balls

The year was 2006, and the venue was Perth as Adam Gilchrist, the legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, unleashed an onslaught against England. Gilchrist raced to his century in just 57 balls, which is the record for the fastest hundred in Ashes history.

After reaching his half-century in 40 deliveries, Gilchrist accelerated his scoring pace, smashing English spinner Monty Panesar for 24 runs in a single over, setting a record for the most runs scored in one over in an Ashes Test. Gilchrist retired from Test cricket in 2008. 

5. Jack Gregory – 67 Balls

This was way back in 1921 in Johannesburg. Jack Gregory, the Australian all-rounder, bludgeoned the South African bowlers. He achieved a century from 67 balls in just 70 minutes, marking the fastest hundred in terms of both balls faced and minutes taken in Test cricket history at that time.

Although Viv Richards surpassed the ball count record in 1985 with 56 balls, this century still holds the record for the quickest hundred in terms of minutes elapsed.

Suggested Read: Highest Sixes in Test Cricket: Who Has the Most Sixes in Test cricket?

6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 69 Balls

In 2002, Shivnarine Chanderpaul blazed his way to a quick century against Australia in Georgetown. He thwarted the opposition’s bowling attack, reaching a century in 69 balls.

His half-century came off just 37 balls, with 7 fours and a six. With the West Indies reeling at 53 for 5, Chanderpaul’s blistering 69-ball century propelled their total beyond the 200-run mark. He reached 100 runs in just 72 balls, smashing 15 fours and two sixes along the way.

7. David Warner – 69 Balls

In 2011, Perth bore witness to David Warner’s explosive batting as he took on the Indian bowling attack with aggression. Warner hammered a century off 69 balls against India, ultimately amassing 180 runs in 159 deliveries, embellished with 20 fours and five sixes. This was only the fifth Test match of his career. 

8. Chris Gayle – 70 Balls

When talking about fastest centuries in any format, one cannot miss out on Chris Gayle. In 2009, he decimated the Australian bowling attack, bludgeoning his way to a century in just 70 balls.

Gayle finished on 102 runs in just 72 balls, hitting nine fours and six sixes on the way. Gayle reached his first fifty in a mere 34 balls, adorned with eight fours and a six. His second fifty followed swiftly in 36 balls, featuring five sixes and a four.

9. Roy Fredericks – 71 Balls

In the mid-1970s, Roy Fredericks displayed his explosive batting in Perth. Fredericks reached his century in just 71 balls, which is one of his best knocks. He scored 169 runs in 145 balls, with 27 fours and one six. The West Indies won the match by an innings. An aggressive batsman, Roy scored 4334 Test runs before retiring in 1983. 

10. Colin de Grandhomme – 71 Balls

Colin de Grandhomme, the former New Zealand all-rounder, has hit the 10th fastest Test century. De Grandhomme achieved this milestone in just 71 balls against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in 2017. His innings comprised 105 runs off 74 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes. 

Further Read: Know about Types of Cricket Pitches

FAQs about Fastest Century in Test Cricket History

Q) Who has scored the fastest century in Test cricket?

A) The fastest century in Test cricket history was scored by Brendon McCullum in 2015, reaching it in just 54 balls.

Q) Who has scored the fastest century in Test cricket history? 

A) Brendon McCullum, former New Zealand captain, holds the record for the fastest century in Test cricket, reaching it in just 54 balls in 2015 in the final Test of his career.

• Top 10 Batsmen with Most Sixes in Cricket
• Fastest 50 in T20 Cricket History
• Fastest Centuries in T20 Cricket
• List of Double Centuries in ODI Cricket
• What is the Cricket Ball Weight in KG