Top 24 Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket (Updated 2026)

Test cricket is known for patience and long innings, but some players break the trend by scoring centuries at incredible speed. Over the years, many batters have shown that even in the longest format, attacking play can change a match within minutes.

Brendon McCullum still holds the record for the fastest Test century with his 54-ball blast in Christchurch, 2016. Recently, Travis Head grabbed the spotlight with his stunning 69-ball hundred in the 2025 Ashes Test at Perth, a knock that completely shifted the game in Australia’s favour.

In this article, we’ll look at the 24 fastest Test centuries ever scored and highlight the top 10 innings that truly changed how we view fast scoring in red-ball cricket.

Fastest Century In Test Cricket

The concept of a fast century in Test cricket has evolved over the years. What was once considered rapid scoring is now commonplace in the modern era.

Let’s take a look at the 24 fastest centuries in Test cricket history:

Rank	Player	Balls	Team	Against	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	Travis Head	69	Australia	England	Perth	2025
9	Chris Gayle	70	West Indies	Australia	Perth	2009
10	Roy Fredericks	71	West Indies	Australia	Perth	1975
11	Colin de Grandhomme	71	New Zealand	West Indies	Wellington	2017
12	Majid Khan	74	Pakistan	New Zealand	Karachi	1976
13	Mohammad Azharuddin	74	India	South Africa	Kolkata	1996
14	Brendon McCullum	74	New Zealand	Sri Lanka	Christchurch	2014
15	AB de Villiers	75	South Africa	India	Centurion	2010
16	Gilbert Jessop	76	England	Australia	The Oval	1902
17	Brian Lara	77	West Indies	Pakistan	Multan	2006
18	Jonny Bairstow	77	England	New Zealand	Nottingham	2022
19	Shahid Afridi	78	Pakistan	West Indies	Bridgetown	2005
20	Shahid Afridi	78	Pakistan	India	Lahore	2006
21	Virender Sehwag	78	India	West Indies	Gros Islet	2006
22	BB McCullum	78	New Zealand	Pakistan	Sharjah	2014/15
23	DA Warner	78	Australia	Pakistan	Sydney	2016/17
24	Jamie Smith	80	England	India	Edgbaston	2025

Now, let’s delve into the top 10 fastest centuries in more detail:

1. Brendon McCullum (54 balls)

In his final Test match, Brendon McCullum saved his best for last. Playing against Australia in Christchurch in 2016, McCullum smashed the fastest Test century off just 54 balls. He went on to score 145 runs from 79 deliveries, hitting 21 fours and 6 sixes. 

This explosive innings was a fitting farewell to a player known for his aggressive style and ability to change the game in a matter of overs.

2. Viv Richards (56 balls)

The “Master Blaster” Viv Richards held the record for the fastest Test century for 30 years. Playing against England in St John’s, Antigua in 1986, Richards reached his hundred in just 56 balls. 

His knock was a display of pure dominance as he took apart the English bowling attack with his trademark power and timing. Richards’ innings set a benchmark that stood for three decades.

3. Misbah-ul-Haq (56 balls)

Misbah-ul-Haq, known more for his calm demeanor, surprised everyone with his blistering century against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014. 

Equaling Viv Richards’ record, Misbah reached his hundred in 56 balls. His innings showcased a different side of his batting, proving that he could accelerate when needed. This knock came in the second innings, adding to its significance.

4. Adam Gilchrist (57 balls)

Adam Gilchrist, one of cricket’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen, scored a breathtaking century off 57 balls against England in Perth during the 2006 Ashes series. 

Gilchrist’s innings of 102 not out came from just 59 deliveries and included 12 fours and 4 sixes. This knock was particularly remarkable as it came after he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings.

5. Jack Gregory (67 balls)

Jack Gregory’s 67-ball century against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1921 was a record that stood for an astonishing 65 years. 

Playing in an era when quick scoring was rare, Gregory’s innings was truly ahead of its time. He went on to score 119 runs in just 85 minutes of batting, showcasing his attacking prowess in an age of more defensive cricket.

6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (69 balls)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, often known for his patient batting, showed his versatility with a 69-ball century against Australia in Georgetown in 2003. 

Coming in at a precarious situation with his team at 53/5, Chanderpaul’s counter-attacking innings helped West Indies cross the 200-run mark. His knock of 100 off 72 balls included 15 fours and 2 sixes.

7. David Warner (69 balls)

David Warner’s aggressive style found its peak expression when he scored a 69-ball century against India in Perth in 2012. 

Warner’s innings of 180 from 159 balls set the tone for Australia’s dominance in the match. His knock, filled with 20 fours and 5 sixes, showcased his ability to score quickly, even in the longest format of the game.

8. Travis Head (69 balls)

Travis Head delivered a historic performance with a 69-ball century in the 1st Ashes Test at Perth on November 22, 2025.

Australia were chasing 205 in the fourth innings, and Head was promoted to open the batting. He played fearlessly from the start, hitting 12 fours and 4 sixes. His innings helped Australia secure an easy and confident win.

9. Chris Gayle (70 balls)

Chris Gayle, renowned for his T20 exploits, brought his aggressive style to Test cricket with a 70-ball century against Australia in Perth in 2009. 

Gayle’s innings of 102 from 72 balls was a lone warrior effort for the West Indies. He hit 9 fours and 6 sixes in this whirlwind knock, proving his ability to dominate in all formats of the game.

10. Roy Fredericks (71 balls)

Roy Fredericks’ 71-ball century against Australia at the WACA in Perth in 1975 was one of the defining innings of his career. 

Fredericks went on to score 169 from just 145 balls, hitting 27 fours and a six. His aggressive approach against the fearsome Australian bowling attack of that era made this innings particularly special.

Jamie Smith Scores Fastest Test Hundred Against India

Jamie Smith made headlines with his explosive century against India in the 2025 England vs India Edgbaston Test. Walking in when England were struggling at 84/5, the young wicketkeeper-batter showed remarkable composure and counter-attacking flair. He reached his hundred in just 80 balls, making it one of the fastest Test centuries ever. 

Smith remained unbeaten on 184, playing a key role in England’s comeback alongside Harry Brook, with whom he built a massive 300+ run partnership. His knock not only rescued the innings but also secured him a spot among the fastest century-makers in Test history.

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Conclusion: Brendon McCullum Still Holds the Fastest Century Record in Test Cricket

These fastest Test centuries show how much the game has changed over the years. From Jack Gregory’s attacking knock in 1921 to Brendon McCullum’s record-breaking 54-ball hundred in 2016, each innings has pushed the limits of what’s possible in Test cricket.

Travis Head’s recent 69-ball century in the 2025 Ashes is another strong reminder that aggressive batting can completely shift a match, even in a pressure-filled fourth innings. His innings stands out as one of the finest modern examples of how speed and intent can transform the game.

With the sport evolving, it will be exciting to see how long these records last—and who’s next to break them.