Top 10 fastest centuries (100) in test cricket

Here we take a look at the top 10 fastest centuries in test cricket.

In 1921, Australian batter Jack Gregory smashed what was then the fastest test century in just 67 balls against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. A few batters came close to this record, but they were not able to go past Gregory’s astonishing number. Gregory’s innings was rated among the greatest innings for a long time in cricket and it was Viv Richards who finally managed to better his mark in 1986 after almost 65 years.

Former West Indies ace Viv Richards also held the record for a long time before it was eclipsed by the man who tops this chart. Let’s have a look at the list of the batters with the top 10 quickest test hundreds.

10. Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand) – 71 balls Vs West Indies, 2017 :

Former New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has the 10th fastest test hundred to his name as it stands.

De Grandhomme brought up his century in just 71 balls against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in 2017. He scored 105 runs in 74 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes, while batting at No. 7 for the Blackcaps.

9. Roy Fredricks (West Indies) – 71 balls Vs Australia, 1976 :

Part of West Indies’ golden generation in the 70s and ’80s, Roy Fredricks was the first one to go close to the record of Jack Gregory.

Former West Indian opener Fredricks played probably the best knock of his career and smashed a test hundred at the WACA in Perth in just 71 balls. Roy Fredricks scored 169 runs in 145 balls, with 27 fours and one six.

8. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 70 balls Vs Australia, 2010 :

Former West Indians opener Chris Gayle smashed his fastest test ton in just 70 balls against Australia at the WACA in 2010. Gayle played a lone-warrior knock against the Aussies and scored 102 runs in just 72 balls.

The southpaw smashed nine fours and six sixes in his scintillating knock. Later, he would go on to become the greatest T20 batter ever in cricket.

7. David Warner (Australia) – 69 balls Vs India, 2012 :

No Indian fan would want to remember this knock from David Warner, who assaulted the opposition bowlers with ease at the WACA in 2012.

Warner smashed a 69-ball ton against India and went on to score 180 runs in 159 balls, with 20 fours and five sixes. The left-hander is known for batting with an aggressive intent across formats.

6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 69 balls Vs Australia, 2003 :

West Indian middle-order batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul played one of the best counter-attacking knocks against Australia in 2003.

The West Indies had lost five wickets for 53 runs, before Chanderpaul with his 69-ball century took their total over the 200-run mark. He scored 100 runs in 72 balls, with 15 fours and two sixes.

5. Jack Gregory (Australia) – 67 balls Vs South Africa, 1921 :

In 1921, Jack Gregory went on to smash the record books with his 67-ball ton against South Africa. Gregory held the record for the fastest test century for 65 years.

Viv Richards broke Gregory’s record in 1986 against England. Gregory batted for just 85 minutes and scored 119 runs.

4. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 57 balls Vs England, 2006 :

Australian wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist smashed the English bowlers out of the park in the Ashes in 2006. He scored a four-ball duck in the first innings and then went on to play one of the best knocks in the red-ball format.

Gilchrist took only 57 balls to complete his century at the WACA. He scored an unbeaten 102 runs in 59 balls, with 12 fours and four sixes.

3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 56 balls Vs Australia, 2014 :

Former Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq is known for his grit and longevity in the red-ball cricket, but in November 2014, he decided to shift gears and almost came close to breaking the then record for the fastest test century. Misbah scored a 56-ball century in the second innings to equal Richards’ mark from 1986.

2. Viv Richards (West Indies) – 56 balls Vs England, 1986 :

The Rockstar of Cricket in the 80s was the one to overtake Jack Gregory after almost 65 years in test cricket, with a 56-ball ton against England in 1986 at St. John’s in Antigua. Viv Richards held the record for 30 years and only twice someone came closer to overtaking his mark.

1. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 54 balls vs Australia, 2016 :

Former Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum was playing his final test match when he went on to smash the fastest test hundred in just 54 balls.

McCullum scored 145 runs in just 79 balls, with 21 fours and six sixes in his remarkable knock to set the new benchmark.

(All stats updated till 30th September, 2024)

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