Introduction
Scoring a century in cricket is a remarkable achievement, but scoring one quickly is even more exciting. Throughout the history of international cricket, several batsmen have achieved the feat of scoring a century in the shortest possible time.
In this article, we will take a look at the top five fastest centuries in international cricket history, starting from the fifth-fastest to the fastest, and analyze the record-breaking performances of these legendary batsmen.
5. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 45 balls
Brian Lara’s 45-ball century against Bangladesh in 1999 is still considered one of the best innings in cricket history. The left-handed batsman hit 18 fours and four sixes in his innings and finished with a score of 117 off just 62 balls. This innings helped the West Indies score 244 runs in just 40 overs. Lara’s innings was a display of his class and elegance, and it remains one of the most memorable innings in cricket history.
4. Mark Boucher (South Africa) – 44 balls
Mark Boucher’s 44-ball century against Zimbabwe in 2006 is the fastest century by a wicket-keeper batsman in international cricket. The right-handed batsman hit 10 fours and six sixes in his innings and helped South Africa post a total of 418 runs in their innings. This was also the highest total in ODI cricket at that time. Boucher’s innings was a display of his batting prowess and his ability to score runs quickly, and it remains one of the most impressive innings by a wicket-keeper batsman in cricket history.
3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 37 balls
Shahid Afridi’s 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in 1996 is still remembered as one of the most explosive innings in cricket history. Afridi, who was just 16 years old at the time, hit four fours and 11 sixes in his innings and helped Pakistan chase down Sri Lanka’s total of 371 with an over to spare. Afridi’s innings was a display of raw talent and power-hitting, and it announced his arrival as one of the most exciting young cricketers in the world.
2. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) – 36 balls
Corey Anderson’s 36-ball century against the West Indies in 2014 is the second-fastest century in international cricket history. The left-handed batsman smashed 14 sixes and six fours to reach his century in just 36 balls. Anderson’s innings helped New Zealand score 283 runs in just 21 overs, a world record for the highest team score in ODI cricket. Anderson’s innings was a stunning display of power-hitting, and it will be remembered as one of the most exciting innings in cricket history.
1. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 31 balls
AB de Villiers’ 31-ball century against the West Indies in 2015 is the fastest century in ODI cricket. The right-handed batsman hit 16 sixes and nine fours in his innings and finished with a score of 149 off just 44 balls. De Villiers’ innings helped South Africa post a mammoth total of 439 runs in their innings, which is the second-highest total in ODI cricket history. The way he hit sixes and boundaries was a sight to behold, and it was evident that the West Indies bowlers had no answer to his aggressive stroke play.
Conclusion
These are the top five fastest centuries in international cricket history, from Brian Lara’s elegant stroke play to AB de Villiers’ explosive hitting. These batsmen have achieved the remarkable feat of scoring a century in the shortest possible time, and their innings have left an indelible mark on the sport of cricket. The ability to score runs quickly is an important aspect of the modern game, and these players have set the standard for generations to come. Their performances have not only entertained fans but have also inspired young cricketers to emulate their heroics on the field.
It is worth mentioning that scoring a century in international cricket is a great achievement, but doing it quickly requires a unique skill set. These batsmen had the ability to read the game, anticipate the bowler’s next move, and execute their shots with precision. Their innings were a combination of power-hitting, stroke play, and temperament, and they were able to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring a century in a few balls.In conclusion, these five batsmen have etched their names in cricketing history by scoring the fastest centuries in international cricket. Their innings were not only remarkable achievements but also an inspiration to millions of cricket fans around the world. As cricket continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see if any batsmen can break the current record of AB de Villiers’ 31-ball century, but for now, these five batsmen remain the fastest century makers in the history of international cricket.