Top 10 fastest triple centuries (300) in test cricket

Only one batsman has hit a triple century under 300 balls in test cricket.

As a batsman, there are a number of milestones to achieve in test cricket. But scoring a triple century is always one of the toughest. Over 150+ years of test cricket, there have been only 32 occasions when a batter crossed the 300-run mark.

The very first instance was recorded back in 1930 by England’s Andy Sandham. Since then, a number of batters have achieved this special feat. A batter scoring a triple century gives a massive advantage to the team and puts them ahead of their opponent.

It generally takes a lot of times, and batters consume loads of balls. However, on some occasions, batters have done it very quickly. In this article, we will talk about the top ten fastest triple centuries in test cricket history in terms of balls faced.

List of top ten fastest triple centuries (300) in test cricket

10. Inzamam-ul-Haq (436 balls) vs New Zealand, Lahore, 2002

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is one of four batters to score a triple century in test cricket for Pakistan. He scored it against New Zealand in Lahore in 2002. He reached this milestone off 436 balls.

Inzamam concluded his innings with 329 off 436 balls, with 38 fours and nine sixes. Pakistan made 643 and dismissed New Zealand for 73 and 246 in two innings to win the game by an innings and 324 runs.

9. Lawrence Rowe (430 balls) vs England, Bridgetown, 1974

The former West Indies opener is one of four players from his country to score a triple century in test cricket. He scored it against England in Bridgetown in 1974. Rowe reached this milestone off 430 balls in the first innings.

He made 302 off 430 balls, with 36 fours and one six. West Indies scored 596/8 in 154 overs before declaration. England replied with 395 and were at 277/7 in the second innings, when the game ended in a draw.

8. Brian Lara (404 balls) vs England, St John’s, 2004

Who can forget Brian Lara’s 400 not out, which he scored against England in 2004 at St. John’s to register a world record? That was the innings when he reached the landmark of 300 off 404 balls.

Lara finished unbeaten at 400 off 582 balls, with 43 fours and four sixes to help West Indies reach 751/5d. England made 285 and 422/5 in two innings and the game ended in a draw.

7. Chris Gayle (393 balls) vs Sri Lanka, Galle, 2010

Chris Gayle is one of the four batters with two triple centuries in test cricket. His second triple hundred came against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium in 2010.

Galle scored a 393-ball triple century and concludes his innings at 333 off 437 balls, with 34 fours and nine sixes. West Indies declared at 580/9 in 163.2 overs. Sri Lanka scored 378 and 241/4, and the game ended in a draw.

6. David Warner (389 balls) vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019

Former Australia opener David Warner was one of seven Australian batters to score a test triple hundred in test cricket. Warner’s triple century came at the Adelaide Oval against Pakistan in 2019.

He slammed a 389-ball triple hundred and made 335 off 418 balls, with 39 fours and one six. Australia declared at 589/9 and dismissed Pakistan for 302 and 239 in two innings to win the match by an innings and 48 runs.

5. Karun Nair (381) vs England, Chennai, 2016

Karun Nair was only the second Indian batter to hit a triple hundred in test cricket. He achieved this milestone against England in Chennai in December 2016. He reached his triple hundred off 381 balls and finished unbeaten at 303 runs, with 32 fours and four sixes.

India declared at 759/7 (their highest test total). They dismissed England for 477 and 207 in two innings to win the match by an innings and 75 runs.

4. Virender Sehwag (364 balls) vs Pakistan, Multan, 2004

Virender Sehwag was the first and only Indian to score two triple centuries in test cricket. His first triple century came against Pakistan in Multan in 2004, when he slammed a 364-ball triple century.

It came in the first innings, when Sehwag made 309 off 375 balls, with 39 fours and six sixes to help India post 675/5 in 161.5 overs before declaring. Pakistan were then dismissed for 407 and 216 in two innings and lost the game by an innings and 52 runs.

3. Matthew Hayden (362 balls) vs Zimbabwe, Perth, 2003

Matthew Hayden holds the record for the second-highest individual score in test cricket. He played a marathon innings of 380 runs against Zimbabwe at Perth Stadium in 2003. In that innings, he reached the 300-run mark off 362 balls.

He scored 380 runs off 437 balls, with 38 fours and 11 sixes. Australia declared at 735/6 and dismissed Zimbabwe for 239 and 321 in two innings to win the game by an innings and 175 runs.

2. Harry Brook (310 balls) vs Pakistan, Multan, 2024

The second fastest triple hundred in test cricket is registered by England’s Harry Brook. He played a counter-attacking innings against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024 and scored his maiden triple century off just 310 balls. He added 454 runs with Joe Root (262) for the fourth wicket in their first innings.

Brook finished his innings at 317 off 322 deliveries, which included 29 fours and three sixes.

1. Virender Sehwag (278 balls) vs South Africa, Chennai, 2008

The fastest triple century in test cricket history came from the bat of Virender Sehwag. He broke several records in this knock and slammed a 278-ball triple century against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai in 2008.

Sehwag made 319 off 304 balls, with 42 fours and five sixes, at a strike rate of 104.93. India made 627 in 155.1 overs. South Africa scored 540 and 331/5d when the game ended in a draw.

(All stats updated till 10th October, 2024)

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