7 Fastest Test Centuries In Cricket History

7 Fastest Test Centuries: Test cricket is a game where strategy tends to call for being careful and patient. But there have been some bold batsmen who flipped the rulebook, choosing instead to start from the first ball itself. These cricket legends bagged some of the quickest Test centuries in history, illuminating stadiums and bewildering opponents with their temperament.

7 Fastest Test centuries in cricket history

1. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 54 Balls

Brendon McCullum holds the record for the quickest century in Test cricket. During his last Test match against Australia in Christchurch (2016), McCullum batted at a fragile 32/3.

Instead of being in defense, he went on the attack. After a tentative first ball, he bashed a four from his second and never looked back again. McCullum sprinted to 50 in 34 balls and reached a hundred in 54 balls, scoring 6 fours and 3 sixes. It was a great farewell to one of New Zealand’s finest entertainers.

2. Viv Richards (West Indies) – 56 Balls

The great Sir Vivian Richards made one of the most scorching Test hundreds in 1986 against England at Antigua. Coming in shortly before tea, Richards tore the bowling attack apart with sheer muscle.

He scored his half-century in 35 balls and his hundred in 56 balls. He dispatched sixes over the stands—and even one over a bordering prison. Astonishingly, he did not receive even a single dot ball in the entire innings.

3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 56 Balls

It’s famous for his calm head and composed nature, Misbah stunned everyone with his extremely aggressive century against Australia in Abu Dhabi (2014).

Informed that he was just a few runs short of setting the record for the quickest Test century, Misbah maintained his concentration and sealed the deal in style scoring 101* off only 56 balls, with 11 fours and 5 sixes. He equaled Richards’ record and reestablished his reputation in the same innings.

4. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 57 Balls

Adam Gilchrist’s century in whirlwind fashion was in 2006 Ashes in Perth. After getting out for a four-ball duck in the first innings, he came back with a vengeance in the second.

He singled out Monty Panesar most, scoring 40 runs from a mere 17 balls against him. Gilchrist’s century was just 57 balls old, including an all-out attack consisting of 12 fours and 4 sixes.

5. Jack Gregory (Australia) – 67 Balls

Australian all-rounder Jack Gregory created the blueprint for quick scoring as early as 1921. While playing against South Africa in Johannesburg, Gregory smashed his way to a century in 67 balls.

Batting at number four, he put on a total of 209 runs with Herbie Collins, which sealed a convincing victory. His 119-run innings was the fastest Test century record for a staggering 65 years.

6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 69 Balls

Celebrated for his unconventional style and generally defensive batting, Shivnarine Chanderpaul shocked all in 2003 when he blasted a 69-ball century against Australia.

Unleashing an unplanned aggressive style, Chanderpaul thrashed his way to three figures while shielding an injured Ridley Jacobs at the opposite end. Their 131-run stand saved West Indies and revealed a new facet of the reliable left-hander.

7. David Warner (Australia) – 69 Balls

David Warner displayed his annihilating capability in a game against India in Perth in 2012. Goaded by Virender Sehwag’s pep talk, Warner ripped into the Indian bowling attack.

He took his century off only 69 balls, with 13 fours and 3 sixes. Most impressively, he did this in a single session—coming in after tea and not out at stumps.

Summary: Fastest Test Centuries (Top 7)

Rank	Player	Team	Balls Taken
1	Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	54 balls
2	Viv Richards	West Indies	56 balls
3	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	56 balls
4	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	57 balls
5	Jack Gregory	Australia	67 balls
6	Shivnarine Chanderpaul	West Indies	69 balls
7	David Warner	Australia	69 balls