Test cricket is the longest and oldest format in which batters and bowlers get the time to settle themselves to plan. In the history of test cricket, there are plenty of memorable knocks like the fastest test century and double-centuries. In test cricket, there are some boring centuries. But these centuries also played a crucial in a match. So, let's look at the top ten slowest centuries in test cricket.
1. Mudassar Nazar (419 Balls)
In 1977, England toured Pakistan for a series of three test matches. The first test was played in Lahore, where Mudassar Nazar scored the slowest century in test cricket. Mudassar Nazar is a former batsman and coach of a Pakistani team. Pakistan won the toss in the 1st test match against England in 1977 and decided to bat first. In the first innings, Mudassar Nazar scored 114 runs off 449 balls, and he completed his century in 419 balls, the slowest century in the history of test cricket. In his career, Mudassar Nazar has scored 4,114 runs in tests and 2,653 runs in ODI.
2. Sanjay Manjrekar (397 Balls)
Sanjay Manjrekar is a former batsman and current commentator of India. He has a record for the slowest century by any Indian batsman in test cricket. In 1992, India played a test against Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first. In 1st innings, they scored 456 runs. When India came to bat, they quickly lost their five wickets at 101 runs. After that, Sanjay Manjrekar showed his patience and grit and scored 104 runs in 422 balls, completing his century with 397 balls. With this knock, India drew this match.
3. Clive Radley (396 Balls)
Clive Radley is one of the legendary batsmen in first-class cricket. But unfortunately, this legendary batsman could only play 8 test matches for England. In 1978, England toured New Zealand, and in a test match, Clive Radey scored 158 runs, scoring his century in 396 balls, the slowest test century by any England batsman. By Clive Radley's 158 runs, England drew this test match. In his career, Clive Radley has scored 481 runs in tests and 250 runs in ODI.
4. Jimmy Adams (365 Balls)
Jimmy Adams is one of the most versatile batsmen that West Indies has ever seen, as he could play at the top order and middle order and could rebuild the innings as well. The same Jimmy Adams did against Zimbabwe in 2000. In this test match, Zimbabwe scored 308 runs in 1st innings, and West Indies batting collapsed. But Jimmy Adams stayed on the crease and scored 101 runs off 372 balls, where he completed his century in 365 balls. Jimmy Adam's innings helped West Indies, and they won the match by ten wickets. In his career, Jimmy Adams scored 3,012 runs in tests and 2,204 runs in ODI.
5. Thilan Samaraweera (345 Balls)
Thilan Samaraweera is a former batsman of Sri Lanka. In 2003, England toured Sri Lanka for three test matches. This was the 3rd and series decider test match in which England won the toss and chose to bat first. In 1st innings, England scored 265 runs. In 2nd innings, Sri Lankan batsman Thilan Samaraweera scored 142 runs off 408 balls, in which he completed his century in 345 balls, which is the slowest by any Sri Lankan batsman. As a result, Sri Lanka won that match and series as well. In his career, Thilan Samaraweera scored 5,462 runs in tests and only 862 runs in ODI.
6. Nasser Hussain (343 Balls)
Nasser Hussain is one of the finest skippers that England has ever seen. In 1999, when England toured South Africa, Nasser Hussain was the captain of England's team in 3rd test match. England won the toss and decided to bat first. In 1st innings, Nasser Hussain scored 146 runs in 463 balls, and England scored 366 runs. In this inning, Nasser Hussain completed his ton in 343 balls, one of the slowest in test cricket. But in the follow-on innings, Gary Kristen played an innings of 275 runs, and South Africa drew this test match.
7. Mark Greatbatch (341 Balls)
Mark Greatbatch's innings are a perfect example of grit, determination, and focus as he played this knock in an intense, pressured situation. This test match was played in 1989 between Australia and New Zealand. After Australia scored 521 in 1st innings, they all out New Zealand only at 231 runs. As a result, Australia invited New Zealand for a follow-on. After losing two wickets at 11 runs, Mark Greatbatch showed his determination and played an innings of 146 runs in 485 balls, in which he scored his century in 341 balls. As a result, this match was drawn.
8. Nathan Astle (341 Balls)
Nathan Astle is a former batsman From New Zealand. In a test match against Zimbabwe, New Zealand lost their four wickets in 145 runs. After this, Nathan Astle decided to anchor the innings, and he steadily scored runs. In this match, Nathan Astle scored 141 runs in 408 balls, completing his century in 341 balls. By his innings, the test match was drawn.
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (336 Balls)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul is one of the best test batsmen that West Indies has ever seen. In the 4th test match against India, West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. India scored 513 runs in 1st innings. In 2nd innings, Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul controlled the innings for West Indies. In 2nd inning, Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 136 runs in 510, in which he scored a century in 336 balls, the slowest by any West Indie batsman.
10. Tino Mawoyo (327 Balls)
Tino Mawoyo is a former batsman of Zimbabwe. In a test match against Pakistan in 2011, Zimbabwe bat first and scored 412 runs in their 1st innings. In this inning, Tino Mawoyo scored 163 runs in 453 balls, completing his century in 327 balls, one of the slowest in test cricket. Even though Pakistan won the match, no one forgot Tino Mawoyo's slow century.
