Many factors influence a player to reach that mark of scoring 10 Test centuries. Patience is the key for a player to have a greater conversion rate (from the 50s to the 100s).
A player has to stay determined and prepared for a longer period. With T20s becoming the norm, there is a high chance of a player not staying focused. It is even challenging for a champion player like Cheteshwar Pujara, who plays only one format, to stay determined in the no-game period.
Undoubtedly, fitness and mental strength are the other two things without which the player cannot achieve great heights in their career.
Here in this article, we will look at the 10 fastest batters to have reached the milestone of 10 Test centuries.
#10 Wally Hammond (ENG) – 54 innings
It was never easy for Wally Hammond early in his career; he had been in a phase of self-doubt, had those nervous starts to the games, and suffered several injuries. Yet he overcame adversity and raised his levels, thanks to his skill, determination, and resilience.
Wally’s 10th Test Century: It was the first Test match of the 1932 series of England touring Australia. Australia scored 360, and English batters replied with their best game.
There were three centuries in the England innings, including the one of Hammond, who displayed a solid performance and scored his 10th Test century with the help of 16 boundaries. England won that game by 10 wickets.
#9 Marnus Labuschagne (AUS) – 51 innings
Marnus is a rising star in the world of cricket who has already achieved considerable success in such a short career. One of the biggest challenges early in his career was to break into the Australian team. Before establishing him to be a perfect Test batsman, he was considered a limited-overs format player, but he worked on his technique to reach the demands of Test cricket.
Labuschagne’s 10th Test Century: Last year in 2022, Australia was batting first against West Indies; the Australian openers couldn’t do much that day; then came in Marnus, continuing his rich form in the longest format of the game, who registered a knock of 163 runs with the help of 14 fours, and this was his 10th hundred in Test cricket that came in just 51 innings.
#8 Clyde Walcott (WI) – 47 innings
Clyde was a right-handed middle-order batsman. He used to play from the 1940s-the 1960s time. He debuted for the West Indies at 19 and struggled initially to cope with the pressure and expectations of playing at the highest level. However, he worked hard on his game and soon established himself as a key player in the team.
Walcott’s 10th Century: Against Australia, in March 1955, the Australian side batting first registered a massive first innings score of 515 runs declared. In response to that score, Clyde, who had 9 centuries before that game, registered his 10th Test century, which came in just 47 innings in his career. He was also the highest run getter in the calendar year 1955. You can find the year-wise top-run getters in this stats piece.
#7 Everton Weekes (WI) – 45 innings
Weekes was a right-handed batsman renowned for his superb footwork and ability to play all types of shots. He had a particular strength playing the off-side shots, especially the cut and drive. He was a natural stroke-maker and could score runs quickly, making him one of the most feared batters of his time.
Everton’s 10th Century: Back in 1954, against England in their home Test series, Everton scored a very special knock, a double hundred, his 10th century in the game’s longest format. His effort helped the West Indian side to play a draw against England.
#6 Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG) – 44 innings
Sutcliffe was a right-handed opening batsman renowned for his impeccable technique and ability to score runs consistently. He had a compact and balanced stance at the crease, and he played each ball on its merit, always keeping his head still and watching the ball carefully.
Herbert’s 10th Century: As early as 1929, against South Africa, Herbert came up with the 10th Test century in the second Test of the series. Opening the innings he scored exactly 100, which was the 33.11% of the runs his team scored that day. His tenth century came up in just 44 innings showing how great he had been.
#5 Neil Harvey (AUS) – 40 innings
He was a left-handed batsman renowned for his elegant and graceful style. He had a high back lift and a smooth and fluid batting action, which allowed him to play all types of shots with great precision and timing. He was particularly strong in playing off-side shots, including the cover drive and the cut shot.
Neil’s 10th Century: Against South Africa, it was the 5th Test match at their home ground. Neil, coming in at 3 after the openers, provided a stable start to the match. He scored a double century, a knock of 205 runs with the help of 19 boundaries helping him register his 10th Test century, becoming the 5th to reach there.
#4 Denis Compton (ENG) – 40 innings
He was a right-handed batsman known for his attacking style of play. He had quick footwork, which allowed him to play a wide range of shots with great power and precision. He had been quite good at particularly two shots- square cuts and hook shots.
Denis’s 10th Century: Despite having a bit of poor eyesight, he had been successful enough to register the record to be one of the fastest players to reach the milestone of 10 Test centuries. Against Australia, in Ashes Test, coming in at 4, Denis played a beautiful knock of 145 runs with the help of 16 boundaries and hence helped draw the match.
#3 Arthur Morris (AUS) – 36 innings
Another left-handed batsman on the list, he had a compact and efficient batting technique. He had a low back lift and quick footwork, which allowed him to play each ball on its merit and defend against even the most hostile bowling attacks. Leg glance and cut shots were his specialties.
Arthur’s 10th Century: While opening the innings against England, their home Test series’ 4 Test match. Ken Archer got out early, and it was a huge responsibility on the shoulders of Arthur to help Australia make a good total and help to win the match. He did not disappoint; Arthur scored a good knock of 206 runs with the help of 23 boundaries contributing more than 50% of runs to the total stating how important he had been for the team. He also came close to scoring his 2nd 200 in the Ashes series, when he was ran out at 196 in this Oval Test.
#2 George Headley (WI) – 32 innings
Headley was a right-handed batsman known for his strong technique and ability to play off-side and leg-side shots easily. His good stance helped him time the ball perfectly and play each shot with great precision. He was particularly strong in playing the hook shot and the on-drive.
George’s 10th Century: Against England on 24th June 1939, on their away tour, West Indies decided to bat first in the first match. George came in at 3 and recorded their 10th Test century in his 32nd innings. He played in the longest format of the game.
#1 Don Bradman (AUS) – 23 innings
Does one need to talk about how great this batsman had been? Just another record list that this player tops. He had a unique grip on the bat and precise footwork, which allowed him to play a wide range of shots with great accuracy. He had been a good player of two shots, generally the cover drive and leg glance.
Bradman’s 10th Century: After bowling out South Africa for just 153 runs, Australia came out to bat, openers couldn’t provide the required start and it kind of set up Don to perform his best and reach that record which was in his insight. He did, and how he went on to register a hundred in the first innings of Australia’s batting, he scored 112 runs with the help of 10 boundaries, making him the fastest to 10 Test centuries, still an unbroken record.
