Test Match: Scoring a century in any format of the game is a huge achievement for any batter. And if it is test cricket, then it becomes more vital because a red-ball game puts many challenges in front of a batter. But there are some players who perform in testing conditions to set new standards. In this article, we will cover the list of players with twin centuries in a test match.
Only 89 times since the inception of Test cricket in 1877 has a batsman gone on to score centuries in both innings of a test match. There are only three cricketers who have done it three times, while 11 other batters have done it twice in their careers. So let’s check the list.
5. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – Two times
Former Sri Lankan captain and one of the best wicketkeepers that the game has seen, Kumar Sangakkara, has scored twin centuries in test cricket twice. The first time he scored twin centuries against Bangladesh was in March 2013 at Galle Stadium. He scored 142 and 105 in the first and second innings, and the match ended in a draw. The second time, he scored twin centuries against Bangladesh in February 2014 in Chattogram, when he scored 319 and 105 runs in the game, and that game also ended in a draw. Sangakkara is only one of a few players with a triple century and a century in the same test.
4. Herbert Sutcliffe (England) – Two times
Former English legend Herbert Sutcliffe was the first ever batter to score a twin century twice in history. His first twin centuries came against Australia at the MCG in January 1925, when he scored 176 and 127 runs in both innings. But England lost that game. His second set of twin centuries came against South Africa at The Oval in August 1929, when he scored 104 and 109 not out. That game ended in a draw.
3. David Warner (Australia) – Three times
Australian swashbukling opener David Warner is the only active cricketer that has scored twin centuries thrice in test cricket. His first came against South Africa in March 2014 in Cape Town. He scored 135 and 145 in both innings, respectively, to help Australia win by 245 runs. Then, a second time, he scored it against India in December 2014 with 145 and 102 runs in two innings. Australia won the game by 28 runs. Notably, that was the same game when Virat Kohli (115 and 141) scored twin centuries. Third time, Warner scored it against New Zealand in November 2015. He made 163 and 116, and Australia won it by 208 runs.
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – Three Times
Former legendary Australia Ricky Ponting captain is another batter with three twin centuries. His first came in November 2005 against the West Indies, when he scored 149 and 104 not out and Australia won by 379 runs. Then, in January 2006, he scored two centuries against South Africa at the SCG. He scored 120 and 143 not out to help his team win by eight wickets. Then again against South Africa, he scored two centuries in March 2006, with knocks of 103 and 116 in both innings. Australia won the game by 112 runs.
1. Sunil Gavaskar (India) – Three Times
Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batter, was the first to score twin hundreds three times in history. The first time he did it was against the West Indies in April 1971, when he scored 124 and 220 in two innings. The match ended without a result. Gavaskar scored it a second time against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1978. He scored 111 and 137 runs, but despite that, India lost the game. The third time Gavaskar scored twin centuries was in December 1978 against the West Indies. He scored 107 and 182 not out, and the match ended in a draw.
Recently on June 23rd, Rishabh Pant from India scored twin century in a Test match against England in England.
List of Centuries in Both innings of a Test Match
| Player | Team | Times | Against | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | India | 3 | 1. West Indies 2. Pakistan 3. West Indies | 1. 124 & 220 2. 111 & 137 3 107 & 182* |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 3 | 1. West Indies 2. South Africa 3. South Africa | 1. 149 & 104* 2. 120 & 143* 3. 103 & 116 |
| David Warner | Australia | 3 | 1. South Africa 2. India 3. New Zealand | 1. 135 & 145 2. 145 & 102 3. 163 & 116 |
| Herbert Sutcliffe | England | 2 | 1. Australia 2. South Africa | 1. 176 & 127 2. 104 & 109* |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1. Bangladesh 2. Bangladesh | 1. 142 & 105 2. 319 & 105 |
| Clyde Walcott | West Indies | 2 | 1. Australia 2. Australia | 1. 126 & 110 2. 115 & 110 |
| Greg Chappell | Australia | 2 | 1. New Zealand 2. West Indies | 1. 247* & 133 2. 123 & 109* |
| Allan Border | Australia | 2 | 1. Pakistan 2. New Zealand | 1. 150* & 153 2. 140 & 114* |
| Rahul Dravid | India | 2 | 1. New Zealand 2. Pakistan | 1. 190 & 103* 2. 110 & 135 |
| Mathew Hayden | Australia | 2 | 1. England 2. Sri Lanka | 1. 197 & 103 2. 117 & 132 |
| Joe Root | England | 1 | 1. Sri Lanka | 143 & 103 |
| Rishabh Pant | India | 1 | England | 134 & 101* |