Fastest Test Hundreds in the cricket history

Yesterday, amidst talks of a green pitch at the WACA, Perth on which the Indian innings was folded within 61 overs with just 161 runs on the scorecard, David Warner scored the fourth fastest test century in the history of cricket. The century is also the fastest century made by any test opener. The 69 ball blistering innings from Warner reminds us of some similar innings from the past. Here is a list of 10 fastest test centuries (with video).

1. Vivian Richards, 1986 vs England: Century in 56 balls to seal a ‘blackwash’ over England

England, facing a embarrassing 5-0 series loss with already 4-0 down in the series, went into the fifth test at Antigua against West Indies. But perhaps the worst was in store as West Indies batsmen tormented the English bowlers with Desmond Haynes scoring a ton in the first innings. In the second innings, West Indies needed quick runs to bolster its 164 run lead over the David Gower lead England. Sir Viv Richards, playing at his home ground didn’t disappoint his team and scored the fastest century ever. Viv took 56 balls to reach 103 and remained not out on 110 off 58 when West Indies declared the innings at 246 for 2. Needless to say, this innings ensured that the 1985-86 tour of West Indies remains one of the most infamous tours in English cricket history.

Check the Video of the magical innings from Viv which included 7 fours and equal number of sixes:

2. Adam Gilchrist, 2006 vs England: Ton in 57 deliveries to help Australia win the Ashes 2006-07

When the England team toured the Australia in 2006 to defend the the Ashes crown, the Australian team wanted to avenge the Ashes defeat two years ago. And regaining the cup with a 5-0 margin was more than what Australia could have asked for. In the third test of the series, which was played at Perth on 14-18 December, Australia clinched the series with a thumping 206 runs victory. Adam Gilchrist had a duck in the first innings behind him when he came out to bat in the second innings. But that didn’t seem to bother him as he started sending the ball out of the boundary effortlessly. With 12 boundaries and 4 shots over the fence, Gilchrist took just 57 deliveries to reach his hundred. Gilly remained not out on 102 off 59.

Here is the video of that spectacular innings:

3. Jack Gregory, 1921 vs South Africa: Hundred in 67 balls when there was no ODI or T20

People often remark that the advent of shorter formats of the game like ODIs and T20s has affected the scoring pattern in the tests. But the third fastest test century in history dates back to the November of 1921 when Jack Gregory of Australia scored a century in 67 balls at the Old Wanderers, Johannesburg. In the second test vs South Africa in the 3 test series, Gregory scored 119 off 85 balls with the help of 19 fours. The match (a four day affair then) however ended in a draw as the South African batsmen put up a brave front in the second innings after following on in the first innings. Unfortunately, the video of such an old match is not available.

4. Shivanarine Chanderpaul, 2003 vs Australia: 69 ball century from ‘defensive’ Chanderpaul

West Indian batsman Chanderpaul is known for his defensive batting techniques. A batsman who holds a strike rate of 42 in tests and 70 in relatively faster format i.e. the ODIs scored a century in just 69 balls in the first test of The Frank Worrell Trophy 2003 at George Town. West Indies was 47-4 in the first innings when Chanderpaul came to bat. The team desperately needed someone to check the wicket fall and score runs to post a fighting total. Shiv rose up to the occasion and hit a 69 ball century. His innings was studded with 15 fours and two sixes. West Indies lost the match and also the series later but this innings will always remain one of the classic and unique Chanderpaul innings.

Take a look at the video of the innings.

5. David Warner, 2012 vs India: with a 69 ball century Warner makes a mockery of Indian bowling

And the other day, David Warner joined the list of fastest test century scorers with a century in 69 balls against India. And the ‘new Gilchrist’ achieved this feat in only his fourth test. Warner now has two centuries in four matches of his career. the next big thing in Cricket? Enjoy the Video highlights of the innings.