Test cricket – the game’s original format – is regarded as more patient, skilful and enduring. However, in the past few years, several players have turned the tables on their heads with brilliant batting efforts that left one and all in awe. A century in Tests is a terrific achievement – but one scored at breakneck speed? That’s pure brilliance.
Here we look at the fastest hundred in Test cricket – the top 25 record-breaking knocks that changed red-ball batting.
What is The Fastest Hundred in Test Cricket History?
The fastest hundred in Test cricket was scored by Brendon McCullum, who plundered a ton from 54 balls against Australia in Christchurch in 2016. It was a stunning goodbye for the New Zealand legend in his last Test, and his innings crushed Sir Viv Richards’ 30-year-old record.
Top 25 Fastest Hundred in Test Cricket
| Rank | Player Name | Balls | Team | Vs | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendon McCullum | 54 | New Zealand | Australia | Christchurch | 2016 |
| 2 | Viv Richards | 56 | West Indies | England | St John’s | 1986 |
| 3 | Misbah-ul-Haq | 56 | Pakistan | Australia | Abu Dhabi | 2014 |
| 4 | Adam Gilchrist | 57 | Australia | England | Perth | 2006 |
| 5 | Jack Gregory | 67 | Australia | South Africa | Johannesburg | 1921 |
| 6 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 69 | West Indies | Australia | Georgetown | 2003 |
| 7 | David Warner | 69 | Australia | India | Perth | 2012 |
| 8 | Chris Gayle | 70 | West Indies | Australia | Perth | 2009 |
| 9 | Roy Fredericks | 71 | West Indies | Australia | Perth | 1975 |
| 10 | Colin de Grandhomme | 71 | New Zealand | West Indies | Wellington | 2017 |
| 11 | Majid Khan | 74 | Pakistan | New Zealand | Karachi | 1976 |
| 12 | Mohammad Azharuddin | 74 | India | South Africa | Kolkata | 1996 |
| 13 | Brendon McCullum | 74 | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | Christchurch | 2014 |
| 14 | AB de Villiers | 75 | South Africa | India | Centurion | 2010 |
| 15 | Gilbert Jessop | 76 | England | Australia | The Oval | 1902 |
| 16 | Brian Lara | 77 | West Indies | Pakistan | Multan | 2006 |
| 17 | Jonny Bairstow | 77 | England | New Zealand | Nottingham | 2022 |
| 18 | Shahid Afridi | 78 | Pakistan | West Indies | Bridgetown | 2005 |
| 19 | Shahid Afridi | 78 | Pakistan | India | Lahore | 2006 |
| 20 | Virender Sehwag | 78 | India | West Indies | Gros Islet | 2006 |
| 21 | Brendon McCullum | 78 | New Zealand | Pakistan | Sharjah | 2014 |
| 22 | David Warner | 78 | Australia | Pakistan | Sydney | 2017 |
| 23 | Jamie Smith | 80 | England | India | Edgbaston | 2025 |
| 24 | Ben Stokes | 85 | England | New Zealand | Cape Town | 2016 |
| 25 | Rishabh Pant | 89 | India | England | Ahmedabad | 2021 |
Brendon McCullum – 54 Balls vs Australia
In his final Test, McCullum produced the innings of his life. Against a powerful Australian pace attack, he raced to 100 from 54 balls – the quickest in Test cricket history. By the time he was finally finished, he had made 145 from 79 balls, with 21 fours and six sixes. This was the fitting swan-song for New Zealand’s courageous skipper.
Viv Richards – 56 Balls vs England
The record previously belonged to Sir Viv Richards for close to three decades. His century off 56 balls against England in Antigua was pure domination. The lack of effort in Richards’ stroke play and devastating power, combined with complete confidence, saw this innings written into West Indies folklore.
Misbah-ul-Haq – 56 Balls vs Australia
Calmness personified, Misbah left everyone open-mouthed with a whirlwind 56-ball hundred against Australia in Abu Dhabi. This knock was on par with Viv Richards and showed that even a patient player could have a wild one up the sleeve.
Adam Gilchrist – 57 Balls vs England
Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball ton in the Ashes at Perth was pure Gilly. After a duck in the first innings, he punished the English bowlers all over to score an unbeaten 102 from as many balls. His counter-punch definitively won the game and Australia the Ashes series.
Jack Gregory – 67 Balls vs South Africa
As far back as 1921, the greatest all-rounder of them all, Jack Gregory of Australia, set a record that stood for over sixty years. His Johannesburg century, from 67 balls, came in an age when strike rates seldom broke past 50. He made 119 in 85 minutes, a remarkable effort in those days.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 69 Balls vs Australia
Chanderpaul’s century was special – it came at a time when the West Indies were in tatters at 53/5. He counter-attacked Aussies in just 69 balls with the help of 15 fours and two sixers, taking his team’s fightback to the opposition. It is one of the most underrated innings in Test history.
David Warner – 69 Balls vs India
Warner’s 69-ball hundred against India in Perth was a reminder of why he’s among the most destructive openers ever. He dismantled India’s attack, making 180 from 159 balls. His swashbuckling method revolutionised modern Test opening batting.
Chris Gayle – 70 Balls vs Australia
The “Universe Boss” brought his T20 aggression into Tests with this 70-ball ton in Perth. Gayle’s 101 off 72 balls consisted of 9 boundaries and six maximums- a sheer exhibition of authority against a fairytale Australian bowling attack.
Roy Fredericks – 71 Balls vs Australia
Fredericks’ innings had been played against the relentless pace of Lillee and Thomson at the WACA – one of the fastest tracks in existence. He made 169 off just 145 balls, taking Test match strokemaking to a level not seen before.
Colin de Grandhomme – 71 Balls vs West Indies
De Grandhomme’s rapid 105 off 74 balls demonstrated the all-rounder’s brute force. His innings was a game-changer, which turned the tide in favor of New Zealand at No.7.
Fastest Hundred in Test by Indian Players
Although India’s generations normally have been full of technically proficient batters, a spate of stars this World Cup have proved they can score quickly as well. Here are a few of the honourable Indian mentions:
- Mohammad Azharuddin – 74 balls vs South Africa (1996)
- Virender Sehwag – 78 balls vs West Indies (2006)
- Kapil Dev – 86 balls vs England (1982)
- Rishabh Pant – 89 balls vs England (2021)
- Hardik Pandya – 94 balls vs Sri Lanka (2017)
These innings are testimony to how Indian cricket transitioned from classically elegant to fearless attacking.
Jamie Smith: 80 – Ball Century vs India 2025
The latest member of this elite club is Jamie Smith, England’s emerging wicketkeeper-batter. In 2025, he did all that he could by scoring a rearguard 104 not out in the Edgbaston Test against India when Australia found themselves at 84/5 for his side.
He blasted a sensational 80-ball century and ended 184 not out. His long innings, coupled with Harry Brook’s stand, allowed England to build a large total and win the match. Smith’s innings has already been hailed as one of the finest counter-attacking hundreds in recent Test history.
Why Fastest Test Hundred Matters
Quickfire Test centuries are not just to entertain – they can change the entire course of a match. A quick hundred can:
- Break the opposition’s morale.
- Shift momentum instantly.
- Bowl them a little longer to take wickets.
- Pack fans in, and Test cricket won’t be so boring.
In a T20 age, these blazing knocks keep the traditional format of cricket kicking and alive.
Final Thoughts
Best of the 100: The fastest hundred in test – As it happened, from Jack Gregory in 1921 to Jamie Smith in 2025, these men made history with their windows-of-opportunity-busting centuries across generations.
But almost a decade on, Brendon McCullum’s 54-ball century still stands. It is a testament to brave Test batting and inspiration for generations to come.
With greater attacking options such as Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Rishabh Pant changing what red-ball cricket is about, a new record-breaking 139 not out could be right there – waiting to be surpassed.
