In this article, we will discuss the top 10 fastest centuries by England batters in the history of Test cricket. England has produced several batters who have reached the status of legend in Test cricket.
Joe Root and Alastair Cook are the top two greatest Test batsmen known for their classic Test batting, whereas England has also produced many fearless batters who played an aggressive brand of cricket in Tests. Kevin Pietersen, Ian Botham, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes have entertained the cricketing fans with their aggressive style of play in the longer formats.
England has shown significant progress in taking the fearless brand of cricket in the Test series against New Zealand, India, and Pakistan in 2022. They call it ‘Bazzball,’ named after their new head coach Brendon McCullum.
Here is the list of the top 10 fastest centuries by England batsman in Test cricket:
| BATSMEN | BALLS TAKEN TO 100 | VERSUS | YEAR | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Jessop | 76 | Australia | 1902 | The Oval |
| Jonny Bairstow | 77 | New Zealand | 2022 | Nottingham |
| Harry Brook | 80 | Pakistan | 2022 | Rawalpindi |
| Ben Stokes | 85 | New Zealand | 2015 | Lord’s |
| Ian Botham | 86 | Australia | 1981 | Leeds |
| Ian Botham | 86 | Australia | 1981 | Manchester |
| Zak Crawley | 86 | Pakistan | 2022 | Rawalpindi |
| Kevin Pietersen | 88 | West Indies | 2009 | Port of Spain |
| Ollie Pope | 90 | Paksitan | 2022 | Rawalpindi |
| Zak Crawley | 93 | Australia | 2023 | Manchester |
Stats Insights
GL Jessop has hit the fastest century by an England batsman in Test cricket. He completed his century in 76 balls against Australia at The Oval stadium in 1902. England won the match by a close margin of 1 wicket.
Johnny Bairstow scored a Test century in 77 balls against New Zealand in 2022. This is the second fastest century by an England player in Test cricket. Bairstow’s ton helped England chase the target of 299 runs in the fourth innings at Nottingham. He has been in brilliant form this year in Test cricket.
Harry Brook has the record of scoring the fastest Test century by an England batter in away conditions. Brook smashed a century in 80 balls against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2022. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope’s fastest tons in the above list also came in the same game.
Among all the countries, Brendon McCullum has an astonishing record of scoring the fastest century in Test cricket history. McCullum reached his century in 54 balls against Australia at Christchurch in 2016.
Brendon McCullum is now the coach of the England Test team, and he has brought positive intent to the batting of England batters.
Must Read: Fastest Test Centuries for Team India
