Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has scored the fastest Test century in cricket history by taking just 54 balls, against old rivals Australia. If calculated in terms of minutes, then former Australian batsman JM Gregory has the fastest century in Test cricket, which he scored in just 70 minutes.
Fastest Test century (By Minutes Played): Top 5 list
| Rank | Player (Team) | Vs Opponents | Minutes |
| 1 | JM Gregory (Australia) | South Africa | 70 |
| 2 | Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) | Australia | 74 |
| 3 | GL Jessop (England) | Australia | 77 |
| 4 | R Benaud (Australia) | West Indies | 78 |
| 5 | Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) | Australia | 78 |
JM Gregory | Fastest Test century | 70 minutes
This took place during the second Test match of Australia’s tour of South Africa in 1921 in Johannesburg. The Kangaroos had lost two wickets for 128 runs when Jack Gregory had come to bat. He had hit 19 boundaries and two sixes to end his blistering innings of 119 runs. Gregory stayed at the crease for just 85 minutes bringing up his century in just 70 minutes.
Misbah-ul-Haq became centurion in 74 minutes
One of the Test matches where Pakistan absolutely smothered the mighty Australians, this century happened when Australia toured UAE in 2014. The hosts had gotten the perfect riding on a fourth-wicket 236-run stand between Azhar Ali and Younis Khan, following which Misbah played his historic knock. Coming in at third down, the hard-hitter scored 101 runs off 168 balls, which had 10 boundaries and 1 six. Pakistan had declared with a solid first innings score of 570/6. Misbah had taken just 74 minutes to get to it and stands amongst the fastest Test cricket century.
Richie Benaud scores 100 in 78 minutes
It was the fifth and final Test match during Australia’s tour of West Indies in 1955 and both the visitors boasted of some brilliant cricketers of the time. After the Windies were bundled for 357 in Kingston, Australia saw as many as four players scoring centuries in the first innings. This makes Benaud’s century even more special, given the confidence and shot selection he had displayed. Coming sixth down, Benaud had hit 18 boundaries and two sixes to tally a quickfire 121 runs.
Fastest Test century (By Balls Faced): Top 5 list
| Rank | Player (Team) | Vs Opponents | Balls |
| 1 | Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) | Australia | 54 |
| 2 | Vivian Richards (West Indies) | England | 56 |
| 2 | Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) | Australia | 56 |
| 3 | Adam Gilchrist (Australia) | England | 57 |
| 4 | JM Gregory (Australia) | England | 67 |
| 5 | S Chanderpaul (West Indies) | Australia | 69 |
Brendon McCullum | Fastest Test century
The world of cricket had changed its perception towards Brendon Mccullum following his historic knock in the very first Indian Premier League match in 2008. It was more than evident that the Kiwi was a limited-over specialist, and Baz never hid his approach even while playing the Test format. Australia was touring New Zealand in 2016 when the feat was achieved. New Zealand were struggling at 32/3 when the captain walked in and hit a quickfire 54 ball 100. McCullum would end his innings at 145 with a whopping 21 boundaries to his name and six sixes.
Sir Vivian Richards has the second-fastest test century
The West Indian legend was the fastest Test centurion in cricket for 30 years before McCullum rewrote history. Nevertheless, Richards had achieved his feat at a time when T20 cricket wasn’t even a thought. It took place during England’s tour of the West Indies in 1986 and the fact that it took place in the second innings of the fifth Test match, makes it even more special. After Richards was dismissed for just 26 runs in the first innings, he would return with vengeance to score a century in just 56 balls. Richards had hit seven boundaries and seven sixes to remain unbeaten on 110 runs. His knock is still counted amongst the classic fastest test centuries in Test cricket. The International Cricket Council had later inducted the Test cricket great in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Adam Gilchrist | Test 100 in 57 balls
Australia had a Brendon McCullum of their own in the dynamic Adam Gilchrist. Coming at fifth down, the southpaw had a knack for hitting boundaries for fun and England had gotten a taste of it during their tour of Australia in 2006. After getting out for a duck in the first innings, Gilchrist would return to score a 57-ball century. With Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke scoring centuries before him, Gilchrist played with little to no pressure and ended up scoring the fourth-fastest Test century. He hit 12 boundaries and four sixes to remain unbeaten on 102 runs.
FAQs
What is the fastest Test century by an Indian?
Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev scored the fastest Test century when he had brought up his 100 in just 74 balls in Kanpur during Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 1986.
What is the fastest Test fifty in cricket history?
Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq has scored the fastest Test fifty in cricket history when he brought up his half-century in just 21 balls in Abu Dhabi against Australia.
What is the slowest century in Test cricket?
Sri Lanka’s Thilan Samaraweera has scored the slowest century in Test cricket, as he took a whopping 408 balls to reach his century against England.
What is the fastest Test century at the Lord’s?
England’s Ben Stokes scored the fastest Test century in the Lord’s history when he tallied 100 in just 58 balls against West Indies in 2017.
What is the fastest century on a Test debut?
India’s Shikhar Dhawan has scored the fastest century on Test debut by any cricketer. In 2013, during Australia’s tour of India, Dhawan had scored a Test 100 in just 85 balls.
