The five-day duration of Test matches requires players with immense internal and physical abidance to succeed, and scoring a century in this format is a remarkable achievement for any batter. While it's generally the top-order batters who are an overeater in the spotlight, there have been cases where lower-order batters have taken the game by storm with their explosive fur and scored centuries in quick time. The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially documents and recognizes these records, making them the base for determining the top 10 fastest centuries scored by lower-order batsmen in Test cricket.
1. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies) - 56 Balls Vs. England In 1986
The great Sir Vivian Richards outgunned the list with his blistering century off just 56 balls against England in 1986. Richard's brilliant knock of 110 runs included 7 sixes and 7 fours, which played a pivotal part in West Indies scoring a massive aggregate of 644 runs in the match.
2. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) - 57 Balls Vs. England In 2006
Adam Gilchrist, one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen of all time, comes in at number two with his century off just 57 balls against England in 2006. Gilchrist's knock of 102 runs included 9 sixes and 6 fours and helped Australia chase the target of 168 runs in just 27.1 overs.
3. Jack Gregory (Australia) - 67 Balls Vs. South Africa In 1921
Jack Gregory was a legendary all-rounder for Australia in the early 20th century. He announced his arrival on the international stage with a brilliant century off just 67 balls against South Africa in 1921. Gregory's knock of 100 runs included 5 sixes and 13 fours and helped Australia to score 467 in the match.
4. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 69 Balls Vs. India In 2006
Shahid Afridi, known for his explosive batting, comes in at number four with his century off just 69 balls against arch-rivals India in 2006. Afridi scored 103 runs for Pakistan, hitting six sixes and ten fours, helping his team to bash a score of 679 in the first innings.
5. Kapil Dev (India) - 74 Balls Vs. Sri Lanka In 1986
Kapil Dev, Indian former captain, and legendary all-rounder scored his fastest century off just 74 balls against Sri Lanka in 1986. Kapil scored 100 runs for India, hitting 14 fours, which played a crucial role in helping the Indian team score 396 runs in their first innings of the match.
6. Mark Boucher (South Africa) - 75 Balls Vs. Zimbabwe In 2000
Mark Boucher, known for his explosive batting in the lower order, comes in at number six with his century off just 75 balls against Zimbabwe in 2000. Boucher helped South Africa 600 runs in the match with his knock of 125 runs, which included 10 sixes and 8 fours.
7. Ian Botham (England) - 80 Balls Vs. India In 1982
Ian Botham, one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, comes in at number seven with his century off just 80 balls against India in 1982. Botham scored 128 runs for England, hitting the ball along the ground and past the boundary line 13 times. England bashed 433 runs in their first innings of the match, and Botham's innings played a crucial role in achieving this.
8. Imran Khan (Pakistan) - 81 Balls Vs. India In 1982
Imran Khan, the legendary all-rounder, and former Pakistan cricket captain scored his fastest century off just 81 balls against India in the 1982-83 series. They played the match at Iqbal Stadium, Pakistan. It was the third Test of the series. Imran's century off 81 balls is the eighth-fastest century scored by a lower-order batsman in Test cricket history. The century showcased his all-round abilities and played a significant role in establishing him as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket.
9. Brendon Mccullum (New Zealand) - 81 Balls Vs. Pakistan In 2014
Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain, and wicketkeeper-batsman occupied the ninth spot with his century off just 81 balls against Pakistan in 2014McCullum helped New Zealand post a total of 690 runs in the first innings of the match with his knock of 202 runs which included 21 fours and 11 sixes.
10. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) - 82 Balls Vs. Zimbabwe In 2005
Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand captain, and left-arm spinner completed the list with his century off just 82 balls against Zimbabwe in 2005. Vettori helped New Zealand score 451 runs by smashing 7 sixes and 12 fours in his knock of 137 runs.
