Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh achieved his fastest century in Test cricket during the third Test of the Ashes 2023 at Headingley on Thursday.
Making a comeback to the Test team after nearly four years, Marsh scored a rapid 118 runs off just 118 balls, including 17 boundaries and four sixes.
His quick-fire innings rescued the Australian team after a top-order collapse, as the new England pace attack had reduced them to 85 for 4.
Marsh formed a solid partnership of 155 runs with Travis Head to rebuild their innings. In the 48th over, Marsh reached his third century in Ashes matches in just 102 balls by taking a single off Moeen Ali.
Let’s now explore the top five fastest centuries in the history of Ashes cricket.
1. Adam Gilchrist (57 balls vs ENG, 2006, Perth)
During the 2006/07 Ashes in Perth, Adam Gilchrist narrowly missed breaking the world record for the fastest Test century by a single ball.
He reached his century in just 57 balls, playing a crucial role in Australia’s victory as they regained the Ashes urn.
Gilchrist’s aggressive innings included 12 fours and four sixes, with Australia declaring their innings at 527/5.
Although he missed out on breaking Viv Richards’ record of a 56-ball century, it was later broken by Brendon McCullum in 2016.
2. Gilbert Jessop (74 balls vs AUS, 1902, London)
Gilbert Jessop played a remarkable innings on August 13, 1902, in London. England was struggling at 48 for 5 while chasing 263, but Jessop’s extraordinary batting completely changed the game.
He scored a blistering 104 runs off just 74 balls in a span of 77 minutes, hitting 17 boundaries.
His innings left the game evenly poised before he got out at 214 for 8. England eventually won the match by a wicket, securing a consolation victory. Jessop’s innings still holds the record for the fastest Test century by an English batter.
3. Travis Head (85 balls vs ENG, 2021, Brisbane)
Travis Head made an impactful comeback to Test cricket during the first Ashes Test in Brisbane in 2021.
After being dropped from the last two Tests against India in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Head started cautiously but soon transformed into an aggressive batsman. He played a counter-attacking innings, scoring a hundred in just 85 deliveries.
Head’s century, which included three boundaries in an over against Ben Stokes, became the third fastest and the second fastest by an Australian in an Ashes match.
He eventually scored 152 runs off 148 balls before being dismissed by Mark Wood, helping Australia secure a lead of 278 runs. The hosts won the match by nine wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
4. Joe Darling (85 balls vs ENG, 1898, Sydney)
In March 1898, Joe Darling achieved a century in just 91 minutes against England in Sydney.
The final Test of the 1897/98 Ashes series was a dead rubber, with Australia already leading 3-1. Darling displayed an attacking approach right from the start of the chase of 275 runs.
He hit a couple of boundaries against Tom Richardson early on and later struck four boundaries in an over against the same bowler to complete his fifty in 58 minutes.
Despite losing wickets at the other end, Darling continued to dominate the English fielders and combined with Jack Worrall to put up a partnership of 197 runs for the third wicket. Darling’s century in 85 balls set the record for the fastest Ashes hundred at that time.
5. Ian Botham (86 balls vs AUS, 1981, Leeds)
The 1981 Ashes series was a significant moment for the legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham.
In the Headingley Test, Botham played an extraordinary unbeaten innings of 149 runs, staging a remarkable comeback for England. After being bowled out for 174 in the first innings and conceding a lead of 227 runs, England were enforced to follow-on.
However, Botham unleashed a breathtaking display of stroke play against a quality Australian attack, smashing 27 fours and a six. His century came off 86 balls and played a crucial role in England’s victory, as they won the series 3-1.
These five instances of blazing centuries showcase the impact and excitement that Ashes cricket has provided throughout history.
From Adam Gilchrist’s near-record-breaking innings to Gilbert Jessop’s game-changing knock, and from Travis Head’s powerful comeback to Joe Darling’s record-breaking century and Ian Botham’s remarkable comeback innings, these performances highlight the rich history and fierce competition of Ashes cricket.
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