Top 5 fastest centuries (100) by England batsmen in test cricket

Here are the five fastest centuries (100) hit by English batsmen in test cricket.

England have a history in test cricket that goes all the way back to the very first test played in 1877. Since then, the “Three Lions” have produced some of the finest cricketers the world has ever seen. Known for their resilience and adaptability, English batsmen have recorded some blistering centuries in the longest format of the game.

Over the years we have seen how the longest format of the game, known for testing the patience of the players, can take dramatic turns with quickfire runs, shifting the momentum in a matter of few overs.

In this article, we will look at the five fastest centuries scored by England batsmen in test cricket.

Top five fastest centuries (100) by England batsmen in test cricket:

5. Ian Botham / Zak Crawley – 86 balls:

England’s greatest-ever all-rounder Ian Botham and opener Zak Crawley both hold the record of hitting the fifth-fastest test century for England. Botham recorded it twice in his career, while Crawley hit a 86-ball ton once in his test career.

Botham’s first of two 86-ball hundred came during the third Ashes test at Headingley in 1981, where England were struggling at 135 for 7. His rapid 149* off 118 balls helped pull off a remarkable 18-run victory. A month later, in the fifth test of the same series at Old Trafford, Botham repeated his heroics with another 86-ball century that guided England to a 103-run win, sealing the Ashes.

Zak Crawley’s blazing century on the other hand came in the 2022 Rawalpindi test against Pakistan. His innings, an exceptional exhibition of stroke play, was a perfect example of England’s modern-day ‘Bazball’ approach. In his innings, Crawley scored 122 off 111 balls, reaching his hundred in just 86 deliveries. His aggressive knock was instrumental in securing a thrilling 74-run win, kicking off the series with a win.

4. Ben Stokes – 85 balls Vs New Zealand, 2015

Ben Stokes is a name synonymous to playing match-winning innings for England. Going back to 2015, his century against New Zealand at the Lord’s is the epitome of that. Batting first, England scored 389 with help of 98 from Joe Root and 92 from Stokes before getting bowled out by the visitors. The Kiwis then put up a huge total of 523 in their first innings, gaining a lead of 134 runs.

Later on in the second innings, England fought back and scored 478, riding on the back of captain Alastair Cook’s 345-ball 162 and Stokes’ 85-ball hundred. They put a target of 345 for the visitors and bowled them out for 220 in the fourth innings to win the match.

Stokes won Player of the Match award for his all-round performance in the game, which included over 190 runs, three wickets and the quickest test ton at the Lord’s.

3. Harry Brook – 80 balls vs Pakistan, 2022

Harry Brook has emerged as a rising star in England cricket. During the 2022/23 tour of Pakistan, Brook scored a sensational 80-ball century on a flat Rawalpindi pitch. This knock helped England secure a thrilling win in the first test of the series.

The match went down to the wire as England successfully defended a target of 343 to take the first lead. With the arrival of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, England have completely shifted from the traditional way of the longest format of the game and Brook’s knock was a testament to their new fearless approach.

2. Jonny Bairstow – 77 balls vs New Zealand, 2022

Jonny Bairstow played one of the most memorable innings of his career during the Headingley test against New Zealand in 2022. Bairstow’s 77-ball century was part of a remarkable run chase by England as the hosts chased down the big target of 299 to secure the victory by five wickets.

With captain Ben Stokes playing a supporting role, Bairstow unleashed his destructive best that left the Kiwi bowlers helpless. This innings symbolized the start of England’s aggressive “Bazball” era, setting a new standard of how they approach test cricket.

1. GL Jessop – 76 balls vs Australia, 1902

The fastest century by an English batsman in test cricket belongs to GL Jessop, who scored a 76-ball ton against Australia in 1902. Jessop’s innings was nothing short of miraculous as his knock helped England win the match by a single wicket.

It was an age when aggressive batting was a rarity, without the modern technological advancements of the game. The fact that Jessop achieved such a feat in such an early era makes his knock truly remarkable. It remains one of the fastest test centuries in the history of the game and still the fastest century by any Englishmen in test cricket.

(All stats updated till 7th October 2024)

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