Ever cheered loud when someone smashes a century in just a blink of time? That feeling is where the test cricket fastest century lives—pure adrenaline, precision, and audacity. Let’s dig into those eye-popping innings and spotlight heroes who’ve rewritten the record books.
The Global Record: Fastest Test Century Ever
When we talk about the test cricket fastest century globally, there’s one name that stands taller than the rest—Brendon McCullum. The Kiwi legend smoked a century off just 54 balls in Christ church during the 2015–16 season—still the fastest delivery-based century in Test history.
Close behind are two more batting maestros:
- Viv Richards: nailed his hundred in 56 balls against England, 1986
- Misbah-ul-Haq: also reached triple figures in 56 balls at Abu Dhabi, 2014
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Test Cricket’s Fastest Centuries – Top 10 List
Here’s a clean stats table with the Top 10 Test Cricket’s Fastest Centuries (by balls faced). It captures batsman, balls, opposition, venue, year, and match contex for the list of test cricket fastest century
Rank | Player | Balls | Runs (Final Score) | Opponent | Venue | Year | Match Context |
1 | 54 | 145 (79 balls) | Australia | Christchurch | 2016 | His farewell Test; NZ already ahead, he went berserk. | |
2 | Viv Richards (WI) | 56 | 110* | England | Antigua | 1986 | Sealed series win; swagger at its peak. |
3 | Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) | 56 | 101* | Australia | Abu Dhabi | 2014 | Equalled Richards’ record; unexpected fireworks. |
4 | Adam Gilchrist (AUS) | 57 | 102* | England | Perth | 2006 | Ashes domination; Gilchrist swung with freedom. |
5 | Jack Gregory (AUS) | 67 | 119 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 1921 | A trailblazer; fastest for over 60 years. |
6 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) | 69 | 100* | Australia | Georgetown | 2003 | Normally patient, but exploded on home soil. |
7 | David Warner (AUS) | 69 | 180 | India | Perth | 2012 | Tore into Indian bowling on bouncy pitch. |
8 | Chris Gayle (WI) | 70 | 102 | South Africa | Perth | 2009 | Trademark sixes, turned Test into T20 show. |
9 | Roy Fredericks (WI) | 71 | 169 | Australia | Perth | 1975 | Counter-attacked Australia fearlessly. |
10 | Colin de Grandhomme (NZ) | 71 | 105 | West Indies | Wellington | 2017 | Middle-order blitzkrieg; stunned WI attack. |
Rank | Player | Balls | Runs (Final Score) | Opponent |
1 | Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 54 | 145 (79 balls) | Australia |
2 | Viv Richards (WI) | 56 | 110* | England |
3 | Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) | 56 | 101* | Australia |
4 | Adam Gilchrist (AUS) | 57 | 102* | England |
5 | Jack Gregory (AUS) | 67 | 119 | South Africa |
6 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) | 69 | 100* | Australia |
7 | David Warner (AUS) | 69 | 180 | India |
8 | Chris Gayle (WI) | 70 | 102 | South Africa |
9 | Roy Fredericks (WI) | 71 | 169 | Australia |
10 | Colin de Grandhomme (NZ) | 71 | 105 | West Indies |
Legends of the Fast Game
1. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) : 54 Balls
Set the bar sky-high. McCullum throttled through an ODI mindset during a Test, charging to his century in just 54 balls at Christchurch in 2016—still the fastest ever in Test cricket.
It was chaos personified out there that day and bowlers could only stand and applaud the power they saw in front of them.
2. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies) : 56 Balls
Into the 80s for something truly timeless. Richards flayed England bowling at Antigua in 1986 with 56 balls to a century and showed that grace and muscle can coexist beautifully.
He’s still the only classic-era legend in this list with modern players in this list for test cricket fastest century.
3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) : 56 Balls
From zen calm to sheer carnage. Misbah channeled Viv in 2014 at Abu Dhabi—56-ball ton against Australia. It wasn’t just fast but more than that it was also so unexpected which is what ended up making it one of the most iconic finishes in Tests history.
4. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) : 57 Balls
Keeper-batsmen don’t normally play like this. But in the 2006 Ashes, Gilchrist let loose—100 in 57 balls at Perth’s WACA. He didn’t just open the batting; he slayed it.
5. Jack Gregory (Australia) : 67 Balls
Way back in 1921, in Johannesburg, Jack Gregory rewrote what’s possible with a bat—67 balls to his hundred. For 65 years, it was the fastest century in Tests. Now? A nod to where aggression began.
6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) : 69 Balls
The rock turned beast briefly. Chanderpaul’s 69-ball ton in 2003 at Georgetown showed that even the steadiest hands can pull out fireworks when needed. And that is why he is in the top 10 test cricket fastest century ever.
7. David Warner (Australia) : 69 Balls
Perth was a playground for big hitters. Warner blasted his way to 100 in 69 balls in 2012 against India—pure aggression, and every boundary was a statement.
8. Chris Gayle (West Indies) : 70 Balls
King of T20, slayer of Test records. When we’re talking about test cricket fastest century, Gayle’s 70-ball century against South Africa in 2009 at Perth was eight boundaries and sixes on repeat has to be in conversation. Rugby-stadium masala meets Test grit.
9. Roy Fredericks (West Indies) : 71 Balls
Long before T20 madness, Fredericks blazed to a 71-ball ton in Perth during the 1970s. He was a harbinger of things to come—Test batsmen had a new rulebook.
10. Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand) : 71 Balls
Test cricket fastest century fans, meet 2017. De Grandhomme, batting at seven, went berserk for 71 balls against West Indies at Wellington. It was brutal, simple and yet utterly thrilling.
Fastest Test Century for India: A Hot-Batsman Club
Now, shifting to Indian cricket gives us the fastest test century for India which has a rich history too. Here’s a table to set things just right:
Rank | Batsman | Balls | Opponent | Venue | Year |
1 | 74 | Sri Lanka | Kanpur | 1986 | |
2 | Mohammad Azharuddin | 74 | South Africa | Calcutta | 1996 |
3 | Virender Sehwag | 78 | West Indies | Gros Islet | 2006 |
4 | Shikhar Dhawan | 85 | Australia | Mohali | 2013 |
5 | Kapil Dev | 86 | England | Kanpur | 1982 |
6 | Hardik Pandya | 86 | Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 2017 |
Sources confirm these are indeed India’s fastest hundreds in Tests.
Sehwag, Dhawan & Pandya
- Sehwag’s 78-ball ton in the West Indies—pure Seba-style fearless hitting. It had him adding his name in the fastest test century for India list, didn’t it?
- Dhawan’s debut century (85 balls) was a blockbuster welcome to Test cricket.
- Pandya’s 86-ball ton? Coming in lower down the order, it was part of a breathtaking innings filled with sixes and swagger.
Why Do These Century Records Matter?
Now, shifting to Indian cricket gives us the fastest test century for India which has a rich history too. Here’s a table to set things just right:
- Bravery over safety. In a format praised for patience, these guys chose pure audacity. They’re why this list for test cricket fastest century even exists today after all.
- Shifting gears. They didn’t just accumulate runs—they blasted them, changing the pace of the game.
- Highlight reel moments. These innings become replay magnets, reminding us Test cricket can still be bold as well as entertaining at the same time.
Why Do These Century Records Matter?
- Bravery over safety. In a format praised for patience, these guys chose pure audacity. They’re why this list for test cricket fastest century even exists today after all.
- Shifting gears. They didn’t just accumulate runs—they blasted them, changing the pace of the game.
- Highlight reel moments. These innings become replay magnets, reminding us Test cricket can still be bold as well as entertaining at the same time.
FAQs
Q: Who holds the record for the test cricket fastest century?
Brendon McCullum holds this record as he was the one who reached 100 in just 54 balls in 2015-16 at Christchurch.
Q: What’s the fastest test century for India?
Both Kapil Dev (1986) and Mohammad Azharuddin (1996) hit centuries in 74 balls which has tied the record.
Q: Who else’s century comes close globally?
Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq have both scored centuries in just 56 balls each.
Q: Any other quick-century legends from India?
Virender Sehwag (78 balls), Shikhar Dhawan (85), and Hardik Pandya (86) are some of the names who have scored the fastest test century for India.
Q: Why is this test cricket fastest century stat so exciting?
Because Test cricket is about endurance—so when someone flips that script with explosive speed, it’s unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
The test cricket fastest century isn’t just a number—it’s a story of hitting back at tradition, of boldness in whites, and redefining what’s possible with bat and briefcase. From McCullum’s 54-ball warrior innings to Sehwag’s bat-blaving fireworks, these are not just records—they’re legends.
Every time you see someone belting boundaries in Tests, whisper: maybe I’m watching the next fastest century legend in the making.