Top 50 + Fastest Hundred in Test Cricket History (2025 Complete List)

Test cricket has long been celebrated as the purest format of the game, known for its patience, technique, and endurance. But every now and then, a player comes along who flips the script—turning a traditionally slow-paced game into a thrilling spectacle. The fastest hundred in Test history is more than just a statistic; it’s a statement of fearless intent and unmatched skill. Scoring the fastest century in Test cricket takes not only power but also precision and the courage to dominate when the odds are stacked. In this blog, we dive into the legends who rewrote the rulebook with their blistering tons and changed the way we look at Test match batting forever.

Top Fastest Century in Test Cricket History 

Scoring a century in Test cricket is a remarkable feat, but achieving the fastest century in Test format takes that accomplishment to an entirely new level. It reflects not only a player’s attacking intent but also their ability to shift the momentum of a match in record time. The fastest hundred in Test cricket is a rare blend of power, precision, and fearless batting under pressure. Below is a table showcasing some of the most explosive innings in Test history, ranked by balls faced to reach the century milestone.

Top 50+ Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket

S.No.	Player Name	Country	Balls	Against	Venue	Date
1	Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	54	Australia	Christchurch	Feb 20, 2016
2	Viv Richards	West Indies	56	England	St John’s	Apr 15, 1986
3	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	56	Australia	Abu Dhabi	Nov 2, 2014
4	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	57	England	Perth	Dec 16, 2006
5	Jack Gregory	Australia	67	South Africa	Johannesburg	Nov 12, 1921
6	Shivnarine Chanderpaul	West Indies	69	Australia	Georgetown	Apr 10, 2003
7	David Warner	Australia	69	India	Perth	Jan 13, 2012
8	Chris Gayle	West Indies	70	Australia	Perth	Dec 16, 2009
9	Roy Fredericks	West Indies	71	Australia	Perth	Dec 12, 1975
10	Colin de Grandhomme	New Zealand	71	West Indies	Wellington	Dec 1, 2017
11	Majid Khan	Pakistan	74	New Zealand	Karachi	Oct 30, 1976
12	Mohammad Azharuddin	India	74	South Africa	Kolkata	Nov 27, 1996
13	Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	74	Sri Lanka	Christchurch	Dec 26, 2014
14	Kapil Dev	India	74	Sri Lanka	Kanpur	Dec 1986
15	AB de Villiers	South Africa	75	India	Centurion	Dec 16, 2010
16	Gilbert Jessop	England	76	Australia	The Oval	Aug 11, 1902
17	Brian Lara	West Indies	77	Pakistan	Multan	Nov 29, 2006
18	Jonny Bairstow	England	77	New Zealand	Nottingham	Jun 14, 2022
19	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	78	West Indies	Bridgetown	May 26, 2005
20	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	78	India	Lahore	Jan 13, 2006
21	Virender Sehwag	India	78	West Indies	Gros Islet	Jun 10, 2006
22	Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	78	Pakistan	Sharjah	Nov 26, 2014
23	David Warner	Australia	78	Pakistan	Sydney	Jan 3, 2017
24	Chris Gayle	West Indies	79	South Africa	Cape Town	Jan 2, 2004
25	Chris Gayle	West Indies	80	England	The Oval	Jul 22, 2004
26	Sarfraz Ahmed	Pakistan	80	Australia	Dubai	Oct 22, 2014
27	Harry Brook	England	80	Pakistan	Rawalpindi	Dec 1, 2022
28	Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	81	Bangladesh	Colombo	Sep 6, 2001
29	Kamran Akmal	Pakistan	81	India	Lahore	Jan 13, 2006
30	Ross Taylor	New Zealand	81	Australia	Hamilton	Mar 27, 2010
31	Brian Lara	West Indies	82	Australia	St John’s	Mar 27, 1999
32	Daniel Vettori	New Zealand	82	Zimbabwe	Harare	Aug 7, 2005
33	David Warner	Australia	82	West Indies	Sydney	Jan 3, 2016
34	Bruce Taylor	New Zealand	82	West Indies	Auckland	Mar 6, 1969
35	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	84	India	Mumbai	Nov 3, 2001
36	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	84	Zimbabwe	Perth	Oct 9, 2003
37	Matthew Hayden	Australia	84	Zimbabwe	Sydney	Oct 17, 2003
38	Clive Lloyd	West Indies	85	India	Bangalore	Nov 22, 1974
39	Joe Darling	Australia	85	England	Sydney	Feb 1, 1898
40	Shikhar Dhawan	India	85	Australia	Mohali	Mar 16, 2013
41	Ben Stokes	England	85	New Zealand	Lord’s	May 21, 2015
42	Ian Botham	England	86	Australia	Leeds	Jul 18, 1981
43	Ian Botham	England	86	Australia	Manchester	Aug 6, 1981
44	Kapil Dev	India	86	England	Kanpur	Dec 17, 1981
45	Chris Cairns	New Zealand	86	Zimbabwe	Bulawayo	Sep 25, 1999
46	Wasim Akram	Pakistan	86	Sri Lanka	Sheikhupura	Oct 17, 1996
47	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	86	New Zealand	Wellington	Mar 18, 2000
48	Mitchell Johnson	Australia	86	South Africa	Cape Town	Mar 1, 2009
49	Hardik Pandya	India	86	Sri Lanka	Pallekele	Aug 12, 2017
50	Zak Crawley	England	86	Pakistan	Rawalpindi	Dec 1, 2022
51	Virender Sehwag	India	87	Sri Lanka	Galle	Jul 31, 2008

Now, let’s take a closer look at the top 15 fastest 100 in Test cricket history.

1. Brendon McCullum 

Brendon McCullum set the record for the fastest century in Test cricket, reaching 100 runs in only 54 balls. He achieved this incredible feat against Australia in Christchurch during his last Test match in 2016.

Known for his aggressive batting, McCullum played fearlessly from the start, hitting 21 fours and 6 sixes. His quick-fire century helped New Zealand fight back in the game and made his farewell match truly unforgettable.

This innings broke the previous record of 56 balls and showed why McCullum is one of the most exciting players in Test cricket history.

2. Viv Richards 

Before McCullum, the record for the fastest hundred in Test cricket belonged to Sir Viv Richards, who scored a century in just 56 balls against England in 1986 at St John’s, Antigua.

Richards was known for his fearless style and powerful shots. In this match, he completely dominated the bowlers, hitting boundaries all over the ground. His aggressive batting helped West Indies post a big score and win the match easily.

This innings is still remembered as one of the most entertaining and powerful knocks in Test cricket. Viv Richards proved that even in Test matches, you can score fast and play with style.

3. Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq matched Viv Richards’ record by scoring a century in just 56 balls against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014. It was one of the fastest hundreds in Test cricket and a rare aggressive knock from a player known for his calm and steady style.

Misbah surprised everyone with his attacking approach, hitting powerful shots all around the ground. He smashed 11 fours and 5 sixes, leading Pakistan to a big total and a comfortable win.

This innings showed a different side of Misbah and proved that even a cool and composed captain can deliver one of the fastest centuries in Test history when needed.

4. Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist was known for changing the game with his fearless and attacking batting, and his innings during the 2006 Ashes series was a perfect example of that. Playing against England in Perth, he came to the crease and started hitting from the very first ball. 

With powerful strokes and sharp timing, Gilchrist reached his century in just 57 balls. It was one of the fastest hundreds in Test cricket history at the time. The English bowlers had no answer to his aggressive approach, and the crowd was treated to an unforgettable display of hitting. 

5. Jack Gregory

Jack Gregory was an Australian cricketer who played a very long time ago. In 1921, he scored a fast century in just 67 balls against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Back then, cricket was usually slow, but Gregory played with great speed and power. He hit the ball hard and scored runs very quickly, surprising everyone.

His innings is one of the earliest fastest hundreds in Test cricket and showed that even in old times, players could play bold and exciting cricket.

6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a cricketer from the West Indies. He was usually a very calm and patient player. But in 2003, he played very fast and scored 100 runs in just 69 balls against Australia in Georgetown.

Everyone was surprised because Chanderpaul didn’t usually play so fast. But in this match, he hit many big shots and made his team happy.

7. David Warner

David Warner is a cricketer from Australia who loves to play fast and hit big shots. In 2012, he scored 100 runs in just 69 balls against India in Perth.

Warner started hitting from the very first ball and didn’t stop. He hit lots of fours and sixes, and the crowd cheered loudly. His fast batting helped Australia get a big score.

8. Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle is a powerful batsman from the West Indies. In 2009, he scored a fastest hundred in Test cricket by making 100 runs in just 70 balls against Australia in Perth.

Gayle is famous for hitting big sixes, and in this match, he showed his power. He hit the ball hard and far, making it fun for fans to watch. His fast batting helped his team get a good start.

9. Roy Fredericks

Roy Fredericks was a brave batsman from the West Indies. In 1975, he scored a fastest 100 in Test cricket by making 100 runs in just 71 balls against Australia in Perth.

He played with great confidence and hit many strong shots. The way he batted showed no fear, even against fast bowlers. His quick century helped his team a lot in that match.

Even though he didn’t have the most centuries in Test cricket, this fast hundred made him very special and still remembered by fans today.

10. Colin de Grandhomme

Colin de Grandhomme, a powerful all-rounder from New Zealand, played an unforgettable innings in 2017 during a Test match against the West Indies in Wellington. Known for his strong hitting and fearless style, he surprised everyone by reaching his century in just 71 balls.

It was one of the fastest 100 in Test cricket and showed how quickly the game can change with bold batting. De Grandhomme played with confidence, hitting big boundaries and keeping the scoreboard moving fast.

11. Majid Khan

Majid Khan was one of Pakistan’s most graceful and intelligent batsmen. In 1976, during a Test match against New Zealand in Karachi, he played a brilliant and fast-paced innings that stunned everyone. Majid reached his century in just 74 balls, which was considered incredibly fast for that time. He combined beautiful timing with clever shot selection, showing that elegance and speed can go hand in hand.

He played with great timing and confidence. Even though Test cricket is usually slow, Majid Khan made his fastest century in Test by playing brave and fast shots. The crowd enjoyed his batting a lot.

12. Mohammad Azharuddin 

Mohammad Azharuddin was a stylish batsman from India. In 1996, he scored a century in just 74 balls against South Africa in Kolkata.

Azharuddin was known for his smooth and beautiful shots. In this match, he played very fast and hit many boundaries. His batting was full of class and energy, and the crowd loved watching him play.

13. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev is one of India’s greatest cricketers. He was a strong all-rounder who could both bat and bowl very well. In 1986, Kapil Dev made history by scoring the Fastest Century in Test by an Indian at that time. He hit 100 runs in just 74 balls against Sri Lanka in Kanpur. It was an exciting match, and Kapil’s powerful shots made the crowd go wild. His fearless batting showed that Test cricket can also be fast and fun. Kapil Dev’s record is still remembered as one of the best moments in Indian cricket.

14. Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum is a former cricketer from New Zealand who made history with his amazing batting. He holds the record for the Fastest 100 in Test cricket. In 2016, during a match against Australia in Christchurch, McCullum hit a century in just 54 balls. That means he scored 100 runs very quickly, faster than anyone else in the long history of Test cricket. People around the world were amazed by his powerful shots and fearless style. McCullum is not just known for this record, but also for the way he made cricket exciting for fans. His name will always be remembered in Test cricket history.

15. AB de Villiers 

AB de Villiers, also known as “Mr. 360,” is a famous cricketer from South Africa. He is loved by fans all over the world for his unique shots and quick scoring. In 2010, AB de Villiers smashed one of the Fastest Centuries in Test cricket against India in Centurion. He reached his 100 runs in just 75 balls, showing his incredible talent and power. Even though Test matches are usually slow and long, AB made the game exciting with his fearless batting. His ability to hit the ball all around the field made him one of the most entertaining players to watch. AB de Villiers proved that even in Test cricket, you can play fast and thrill the crowd!

Read More Article: Highest ODI Centuries in ODI Cricket

FAQs 

1. What does “fastest century” mean in Test cricket?

It means a player scored 100 runs in the least number of balls during a Test match.

2. Who holds the record for the fastest century in Test cricket?

Brendon McCullum from New Zealand holds the record. He scored 100 runs in just 54 balls against Australia in 2016.

3. Who scored the fastest Test century for India?

Kapil Dev scored the fastest Test century for India in 74 balls against Sri Lanka in 1986 at Kanpur.

4. How many balls are there in one over in Test cricket?

There are 6 balls in one over.

5. Is a fast century common in Test matches?

No, it’s rare. Test matches are usually slow and long, so a fast century is always exciting and special.

6. What is the difference between T20 and Test cricket?

T20 is a short format where each team plays 20 overs. Test cricket is a longer format that can last up to 5 days.