The test is generally a format in which a match lasts up to five days. Generally, it’s a slow-paced game, with each day lasting up to more than 100 overs. Typically, a batsman takes over 100 balls to score a century in test matches. However, there have been some instances where the batsman unleashed his inner beast, either to chase down a target quickly or to be in a surreal form. While it's more challenging to hit a red ball than a white ball, these batsmen made it look like a piece of cake and scored some of the fastest centuries in test format.
1. Brendon McCullum
Kiwi’s dominant striker Brendon McCullum takes the top spot. On February 20, 2016, New Zealand faced Australia at the Hagley Oval. He showed no fear and went on a spree of sixes and fours. He turned a test match into a T-20. He scored a hundred in just 54 balls. He went on to score 145 runs in only 79 runs. In total, he scored 21 fours and six sixes. No wonder a new playing style, called Bazz ball, emerged from his style.
2. Viv Richards
His name used to instill fear among bowlers during the 70s and the 80s. Sir Vivian Richards, the man who led his country to victory at the World Cup twice, occupies the second spot. On 15th April 1986, at Atingua recreation ground, Sir Vivian Richard scored a century in just 100 balls against mighty England. He scored 110 not out in just 58 balls scoring, seven fours and seven sixes.
3. Misbah ul Haq
The former Pakistan captain takes the augmented third spot. On 2nd November 2014, Pakistan and Australia met at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Right-hand batsman took Australia on a field day, scoring a century in just 56 balls. He scored 101, managing to hit eleven fours and five sixes. His aggressive batting style is what he was known for throughout his career. His test average stands out at 46.6. He scored over 5000 runs in 75 matches.
4. Adam Gilchrist
By far the Best wicketkeeper in Australia's history, Adam Gilchrist was a beast with his bat also. He has scored over 15000 runs in cricket. On 16th December 2006 Adam played a spectacular inning against England. He scored a century in just 57 balls, occupying 4th spot. In total, he scored 102 runs in 59 balls, smashing 12 fours and four sixes. His fearsome batting style and ability to adapt made him quite the batsman that every team feared. He was an important part of Australia’s dominant run
5. Jack Gregory
Going a bit Old school, Australian batsman Jack Gregory occupies the fifth spot. Back in the 1920s, he was considered an explosive batsman. He has a short career of only 24 games but managed to leave his mark. In a match against South Africa, he south a century in only 67 balls, a feat unheard of then. He was miles above other players of his generation. He scored nine fours and two sixes to seal the deal. He scored 119 runs in total
6. David Warner
The Australian run machine comes in at 6th place. The Australian batsman is no short of accolades. His explosive batting style, combined with his ability to handle the bowl perfectly, makes him a versatile batsman. During a match against India in 2012 at the Perth, Warner went all out. He scored a hundred of just 69 balls. He scored 180 runs in total, smashing 20 fours and five sixes in the process and demolishing Indian hopes and sentiments.
7. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
West Indies veteran keeper most famous for his batting stance, Chanderpaul harbors the 7th spot in this list. On 10th April 2003 at Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana Chanderpaul pulled off an impressive knock against The Aussies. He scored a hundred runs in 69 balls, scoring 15 fours and two sixes in the spectacular innings. His greatness can't be justified with words, scoring more than 20000 runs throughout his illustrious career.
8. Chris Gayle
Famous for his T-20 gameplay, Gayle has packed many memorable test centuries. In adherence to his playing style, it's no shock that he makes this list, given that he previously held the record for the fastest half-century. Like his West Indies companion, he too scored a hundred against the Aussies on 17th December 2009, at the Perth, scoring a hundred of only 70 balls, smashing nine fours and six sixes.
9. Roy Fredericks
He is the third man from the Caribbean to make this list. Roy Fredericks is a West Indies legend and scoops up the ninth spot. During a match against the Aussies, which seems like everyone’s favorite opponent, Roy scored a hundred in just 71 balls at the Perth. He went on to score 169 runs in total, scoring twenty-seven fours and one six. He was a crucial part of the West Indies squad that dominated the 1970s.
10. Colin de Grandhomme
Although he had a short test career, the Kiwi all-rounder had an explosive batting style. He scored 1420 runs in 29 matches scoring 141 fours and 41 sixes. In a match against West Indies on 2 December 2017, at Basin Reserve Wellington, he went on to score a hundred in just 71 balls, scoring 11 fours and three sixes. Despite his short test career, he scored two hundred and eight half-centuries, cementing his legacy
