In test cricket patience is always the key but few Gentlemen in white might disagree with the same quote in the past these gentlemen proved they they can indeed play see ball hit ball innings in test cricket, more so, if situation requires, there are multiple instances in test cricket when batters really didn't take their time to play their strokes, in their time of bravado they also manage to rake up some personal milestones, here are top 5 fastest centuries in test cricket:-
5. Jack Gregory vs. South Africa in Johannesburg, 1921-22
In the year 1921, Australia toured South Africa to play a 3 match test series, first test match ended in a draw, in the second test match, Australia batted first, Australian opener and captain Herbie Collins a double century (203), but it was Jack Gregory(119) who scored a quickfire century in 67 balls with 19 boundaries and 2 sixes, both Herbie and Gregory helped Australia to reached a formidable 450 runs, South Africa were bowled out for 243 in their first innings and were asked to follow on.
In their second innings, South Africa batted well, Charlie Frank (152) and Dave Nourse (111) scored magnificent centuries and captain Herbie Taylor (80) also played a fighting innings, South Africa made 472/8 (declared) and the match ended in a draw when Australia made 7/0 in their second innings.
Jack Gregory also took 7 (4-71 & 3- 68) wickets in the same match, Australia won the final match and won the series 1-0.
4. Adam Gilchrist vs. England in Perth, 2006
2005 was the year when England surprised everyone by defeating all conquering Australian team, this was England's first Ashes series victory after long 18 years.
2006 was the year when England was in Australia defending their Ashes trophy, Aussies were all pumped up and looked to get back the Ashes trophy at their cabinet, the first two test match, in the first two test matches England were defeated by Australia.
In the third test match Perth, Australia batted first and were struggling after a good opening , Aussie batters struggled, but a fighting innings from Mike Hussey (74) helped Australia to reach at 244.
In reply, England were bowled out for 215 with Kevin Pietersen scoring a fighting 70, with 29 runs lead Australia looked a different batting unit in their second innings.
Australia lost their first wicket at the very first ball at the start of their innings but after that it was all Australia, Matthew Hayden (92), Ricky Ponting (75) missed out on their centuries but Mike Hussey (103) and Michael Clarke (135*) notched their respective centuries, but it was the legendary Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist, who made the fastest century. Of the match, he made 102* inside just 59 balls striking 12 boundaries and 4 sixes, Australia declared at mammoth 527/5 (declared).
With 557 to chase, England's chase was never completely on, despite a fine century by Alastair Cook (116) and fighting knocks from Ian Bell (87) Kevin Pietersen (60*) and captain Andrew Flintoff (51) England were bowled out for 350, losing the match by 207 runs and also the series.
Australia blanked their arch rivals by winning the Ashes series 5-0.
3. Misbah ul haq Vs. Australia in Abu Dhabi, 2013
Australia was at the receiving end at this time, Australia toured UAE to play two match test series, three ODI matches, and a solitary T20 match.
In the first test match Pakistan defeated Australia by a huge margin, so Australia had to win the match to make a comeback and end the series with a tied 1-1 result.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, with the individual scores of Younis Khan (213), Azhar Ali (109) and Captain Misbah ul haq (101) Pakistan got to a mammoth total of 570/6 (declared).
Australia were bowled out for 261 with only Mitchell Marsh (87) was able to give some fightback for Aussies, despite having 309 runs lead and a chance to make Aussies follow on, Pakistan decided to bat first.
Pakistan despite losing both of their openers were looked well placed because of the huge lead, both Azhar Ali (100*) and Misbah (101*) scored their successive centuries, but it was Misbah's innings which has hurt the Aussies more.
After the dismissal of Younis Khan (46) at 152/3 in 43.4 overs, Misbah walked in and made a quick century in 57 balls with 11 boundaries and 5 sixes, Misbah declared the innings at 293/3 at 60.4 overs, which means that partnership of Misbah and Azhar made 141 runs in 102 balls.
Chasing 603, Australia in their second innings despite some fight from Steven Smith (97) and David Warner (58) were bowled out for 246.
Pakistan won the match by 356 runs and the series 2-0, Australia won both the ODI series and the T20 match.
Viv Richards vs England, St John's, Antigua 1996
England toured West Indies to play 5 match test series and 4 match ODI series, this is probably one of the worst tour England ever had.
West indies were always a force to reckon with especially when they're at their home, in the first 4 test matches of the series West Indies defeated England, in the fifth and the final match of the test series England won the toss and elected to field first.
Opener Desmond Haynes (131) scored a brilliant century and with the help of the lower order - Malcolm Marshall (76), Michael Holding (73) and Roger Harper (60)- West Indies managed 474 before getting allout.
Despite getting a brilliant start from both openers Wilf Slack (52) and Graham Gooch(51) and a fighting innings from Captain David Gower (90) England were bowled out for 310 runs.
West indies got a handy lead of 164 runs, in the second innings Desmond Haynes (70) again gave a good start to Windies innings but unfortunately got run out before reaching to another century but Captain Viv Richards (110) scored a fine century within just 56 balls (7 boundaries and 7 sixes) and it was the world record at that point of time, West Indies made 246/2 (declared) in their second innings.
With 411 to chase, England were never looked like pursuing the total except a half century from Graham Gooch (51) there was no fight shown by other batsmen, England were bowled out for 170 runs and England lost the match by 241 runs.
West indies won the test (5-0) and ODI series 3-1, definitely a tour to forget for England.
Brandon McCullum vs Australia, Christchurch, 2016
Brandon McCullum is currently making a huge noise as the new coach of England cricket team it can be said that he changed the England cricket team and rejevunated the team, sincerely hoping that he can achieve more such results for his new team.
Before becoming coach of England cricket team Brandon was a wicket keeper batsman who later also become the captain of the team, he is known to be a positive cricketer and he led his team with positivity and changed the way New Zealand used to play cricket, they were always a brilliant team but somehow they were not able to get the required results in the field, I believe as a leader he brought in those changes that Kiwis were missing and his successors are following the same trend.
In 2016, Australia toured New Zealand to play 2 match test series and a three match one day series, in the first test match Australia defeated New Zealand and was leading the series 1-0.
New Zealand needed to win the next match to level the series back, in Christchurch, Australia won the toss and elected to field first, Australian bowlers made the most of the situation and Kiwis were 32/3, When Brandon walks out, soon the score was 74/4, however, Baz was out their with a determination that he will play fire with fire.
With Corey Anderson (72) he made a partnership of 179 in which Brandon was the aggressor, he thrashed Aussie bowlers and scored (the now world record) fastest test century within 54 balls, he scored 145 in 79 balls with 21 boundaries and 6 sixes, after his dismissal BJ Watling (58) and lower order batsmen managed to take team to 370.
Australia batted well in their reply, Joe Burns (170) and ever so reliable Aussie Captain Steven Smith (138) made big centuries and Adam Voges (60) and lower order helped Australia to reach at 505 before getting allout.
New Zealand were 105/4 when Baz got out in the second innings (which was also his final test innings in international cricket as he retired) at looked in all sorts of trouble, however Kane Williamson (97) along with Corey (40) put 102 runs more but after both of their dismissals and a string of other wickets New Zealand were 210/7very soon.
But BJ Watling (46) and Matt Henry (66) fought back for their team and made 118 runs partnership, New Zealand were ultimately bowled out for 335 runs.
Australia were then came out to chase 201 runs in their second innings which they did it quite easily Joe Burns (65) and Steven Smith (53*) scored their respective half centuries and Australia won the match by 7 wickets.
New Zealand then come back strongly to win the one day series 2-1.
Thanks for reading.
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