Top 5: Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket

There have been very few instances when we saw players smashing a quick century in Test cricket.

This is not the easiest task to do as Test cricket tests your skills completely and it’s not an easy format to crack.

In this article, we will talk about the top 5 fastest centuries in Test cricket.

5. Jack Gregory | 67 Balls

In 1921, the former Australian all-rounder Jack Gregory scored a 67-ball century against South Africa in Johannesburg. He got to the hundred in only 70 minutes and stayed at the crease for 85 minutes, scoring 119 runs.

Gregory came to bat when the score was 128 for 2. He stitched a partnership of 209 runs with the skipper Herbie Collins, who later went on to score a double ton.

Gregory with the ball too picked up a total of 7 wickets in the match. He used to ball with the new ball for the Aussies. Despite Gregory’s heroics the match ended in a draw.

4. Adam Gilchrist | 57 Balls

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist scored a hundred from 57 balls against England in Perth in 2006.

Australia batted first in the third Test in Perth but they were dismissed for just 244 runs while Adam Gilchrist scored a 4-ball duck.

In the second innings, Australia went on to score 527 runs, with Adam Gilchrist completing his hundred from 57 balls, a knock which consisted of 12 fours and 4 sixes.

Monty Panesar who took the wicket of Gilchrist in the first innings was taken to the cleaners in the second innings. Australia won the match by 206 runs.

Also Read | Top 5: Highest Individual Scores in Test Cricket

3. Misbah-ul-Haq | 56 Balls

Former Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq smashed a 56-ball hundred against Australia in 2014 in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan, batting first, posted 570/6 in the first innings where Misbah scored a century from 168 balls.

But it was the second innings where the whole carnage happened. Misbah who had a career strike rate of 44 in Tests batted at a strike rate of 177 in the second innings.

Misbah’s knock included 5 sixes and 11 fours. He smashed the part-time spin of Steve Smith cleverly and took on the pacers too, hitting Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson for fun.

2. Viv Richards | 56 Balls

In 1986, the former West Indies batter Viv Richards smashed a hundred from 56 balls against England in Antigua.

Richards, batting at 3 for the West Indies in the second innings, started his innings in his flamboyant style, smashing boundaries to Ian Botham which was followed by huge sixes against Richard Ellison.

Viv Richards remained not out for 110 runs from 58 balls with the help of 7 fours and 7 sixes. The West Indies went on to win the match by 240 runs.

1. Brendon McCullum | 54 Balls

Brendon McCullum made his final Test match a special one by smashing a 54-ball hundred against Australia in Christchurch.

When McCullum came out to bat, New Zealand were struggling at 32 for 3 in 19.2 overs. And when McCullum was dismissed, he took the total to 253 for 5 in 45.1 overs. His knock included 21 fours and 6 sixes, scoring a total of 145 runs from 79 balls.

The right-hander targeted Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson and smashed most of his runs against Mitchell Marsh. New Zealand lost the match by 7 wickets despite McCullum’s heroics.