Top 15 Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket (2026)
Test cricket has long been celebrated for persistence, technique, and perseverance. In any case, over the decades, an uncommon group of hitters has challenged this convention by scoring centuries at breathtaking speed. These hazardous innings demonstrated that hostility, when utilized admirably, can rethink the longest organization of the game.
As of 2026, Brendon McCullum still holds the record for the quickest Test century. Let’s investigate the 15 quickest hundreds in Test cricket history and the stories behind them.

The Advancement of Quick Scoring in Test Cricket.
Enhancements in wellness bat innovation, and brave mindsets have made fast scoring more common, indeed in red-ball cricket.
From the 1920s to the advanced Bazball period, these innings have changed how Tests are played.

Top 15 Speediest Test Centuries (By Balls Faced)

Brendon McCullum – 54 balls (New Zealand vs Australia, 2016)

Viv Richards – 56 balls (West Indies vs Britain, 1986)

Misbah-ul-Haq – 56 balls (Pakistan vs Australia, 2014)

Adam Gilchrist – 57 balls (Australia vs Britain, 2006)

Jack Gregory – 67 balls (Australia vs South Africa, 1921)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 69 balls (West Indies vs Australia, 2003)

David Warner – 69 balls (Australia vs India, 2012)

Travis Head – 69 balls (Australia vs Britain, 2025)

Chris Gayle – 70 balls (West Indies vs Australia, 2009)

Roy Fredericks – 71 balls (West Indies vs Australia, 1975)

Colin de Grandhomme – 71 balls (New Zealand vs West Indies, 2017)

Majid Khan – 74 balls (Pakistan vs Unused Zealand, 1976)

Mohammad Azharuddin – 74 balls (India vs South Africa, 1996)

AB de Villiers – 75 balls (South Africa vs India, 2010)

Jonny Bairstow – 77 balls (Britain vs Modern Zealand, 2022)

Innings That Changed the Game
Brendon McCullum’s Goodbye Masterclass
McCullum’s 54-ball hundred in his last Test remains unmatched. It was brave, passionate, and progressive, flawlessly capturing his forceful legacy.
Viv Richards’ Immortal Dominance
Richards held the record for three decades, demonstrating that crude control may run the show indeed on conventional pitches.
Misbah-ul-Haq’s Startling Blitz.
Known for composure, Misbah shocked everybody with his 56-ball century, reclassifying discernments of his batting style.
Travis Head’s 2025 Fiery debris Impact.
Head’s 69-ball hundred in the fourth innings showcased advanced Test animosity at its finest, making a difference as Australia sealed a paramount win.

Conclusion: Speed Has a Part in Test Cricket
The quickest Test centuries highlight cricket’s advancing mentality. From Jack Gregory’s brave thump in 1921 to McCullum’s famous record and Travis Head’s cutting-edge heroics, these innings demonstrate that aim can be as effective as patience.
Even in 2026, Brendon McCullum’s 54-ball century stands tall a reminder that one brave innings can alter Test cricket until the end of time.