Fastest Centuries in Cricket History: Who Holds the Records?
The fastest century record tracks who scored 100 runs in the fewest number of balls — one of cricket's most exciting records. AB de Villiers holds the ODI record (31 balls), Brendon McCullum the Test record (54 balls). This guide covers the fastest centuries across formats and what makes these innings possible.
A century in the minimum deliveries requires both exceptional timing — to score more than 3 runs per ball consistently — and the match situation to allow risk-taking. The fastest century record in each format is a benchmark of pure batting explosiveness: the ability to hit boundaries and clear the outfield frequently enough to reach 100 before 100 balls have been bowled. These innings require specific conditions: a flat pitch, a short boundary, a match situation where attack is appropriate, and a bowler-batsman mismatch.
The ODI Record: AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers (South Africa) scored the fastest ODI century in history in January 2015 — 100 off just 31 balls against West Indies in Johannesburg. De Villiers reached 50 off 16 balls, then exploded in the next 15 deliveries. His innings included 16 fours and 9 sixes. The match context: South Africa were comfortably ahead and de Villiers had the freedom to attack without concern for the match result. His 149 off 44 balls (the full innings) also broke the fastest ODI 150 record simultaneously.
The Test Record: Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) scored the fastest Test century in history in February 2016 — 54 balls against Australia at Christchurch. McCullum was already retiring at the end of the match and attacked from ball one, scoring with extraordinary aggression in his final Test innings. His approach — pure attack regardless of consequences, in his final game — freed him from any pressure. The century came off 54 balls, eclipsing Jack Gregory's 70-ball record set in 1921.
T20 Centuries
T20 centuries require scoring 100 runs from a 20-over innings — theoretically impossible at normal strike rates but achieved by elite batsmen in appropriate conditions. The fastest T20 International century was scored by David Miller (South Africa) off 35 balls against Bangladesh in 2017, and by Rohit Sharma off 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017 — both records tied. T20 centuries are rarer than they might appear — the format's brevity often prevents batsmen from reaching 100 even when scoring quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored the fastest ODI century in cricket?
AB de Villiers (South Africa) scored the fastest ODI century — 100 off 31 balls against West Indies in Johannesburg in January 2015. His full innings was 149 off 44 balls, which also broke the record for the fastest 150. The 31-ball century record has stood since 2015.
Who scored the fastest Test century in cricket?
Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) scored the fastest Test century — 100 off 54 balls against Australia in Christchurch in February 2016. McCullum was playing his final Test and attacked from the first ball, eclipsing Jack Gregory's 70-ball record set in 1921. The record has stood since 2016.
How many balls does it take to score a T20 century?
The fastest T20 International century has been scored in 35 balls — achieved by David Miller (South Africa vs Bangladesh, 2017) and Rohit Sharma (India vs Sri Lanka, 2017), both tied. T20 centuries are rarer than their short format suggests — most innings finish before a batsman can reach 100, even at a high strike rate.