New Zealand batters are always known for elegant stroke play and sensible batting. The likes of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Stephen Fleming, Tom Latham, and many more are prime examples of this. But there is another side to New Zealand’s batting, which is very destructive. A Kiwi batter has scored the second-fastest century in the ODIs.
And over the years, there have been some power hitters that have emerged from New Zealand. And in this article, we will discuss those players who have scored the fastest hundreds for the Black Caps in the 50-over format. Top three fastest centuries are made by the Kiwi all-rounders.
Fastest Century in ODI by New Zealand
| Batter | Balls | Score | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corey Anderson | 36 | 131* (47) | West Indies | Queenstown | 01/01/2014 |
| Jesse Ryder | 49 | 104 (51) | West Indies | Queenstown | 01/01/2014 |
| Michael Bracewell | 57 | 140 (78) | India | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 18/01/2023 |
| Craig McMillan | 67 | 117 (96) | Australia | Hamilton | 20/02/2007 |
| Kane Williamson | 69 | 100* (69) | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 25/10/2011 |
| Ross Taylor | 70 | 102* (70) | Pakistan | Napier | 03/02/2015 |
| Jacob Oram | 71 | 101* (72) | Australia | Perth | 28/01/2007 |
| Jesse Ryder | 72 | 105 (80) | India | Christchurch | 08/03/2009 |
| Ross Taylor | 73 | 109* (84) | India | Hamilton | 05/02/2020 |
| Luke Ronchi | 74 | 170 (99) | Sri Lanka | Dunedin | 23/01/2015 |
5. Kane Williamson (100 not out) – 69 balls vs Zimbabwe
You never associate Kane Williamson as a power-hitting batter but he has scored the fifth-fastest century for New Zealand in the ODIs. It came against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on October 25, 2011. Coming out to bat at No. 6, Williamson scored a 69-ball century and made an unbeaten 100 with 11 fours and one six. Skipper Ross Taylor also scored 119, and the Black Caps made 328/5 in their inning. But they couldn’t defend the score as Zimbabwe won a thrilling game with one wicket and one ball to spare.
4. Craig McMillan (117 runs) – 67 balls vs Australia
Former Kiwi all-rounder Craig McMillan scored the fourth-fastest hundred for his country. It came in 2007 in Hamilton when Australia came on a tour. Australia made 346/5 in their first inning including a career-best inning by Mathew Hayden. He scored 181 not out off 166 balls. It was a big score to chase, and New Zealand had some quick innings in the middle. They were 4/41 at one stage, but then McMillan scored a 67-ball century and made 117 off 96 balls with 13 fours and five sixes. And with a few more contributions from other batters, New Zealand chased down the score with one wicket left and made 350/9 in 49.3 overs.
3. Michael Bracewell (140 runs) – 57 balls vs India
The third fastest ODI century for New Zealand came most recently. It came against India on 18 January 2023 in Hyderabad. After winning the toss, India batted first and made 349/8 with a maiden double century from Shubman Gill. He scored 208 runs off 149 balls. Chasing the target, New Zealand lost their top six wickets for just 131 runs in 28.4 overs. But after that, a 162-run partnership between Mitchell Santner (57) and Michael Bracewell took the Black Caps near the target. Bracewell scored a 57-ball century and made 140 runs off just 78 balls, with 12 fours and 10 sixes, but couldn’t lead his team to victory. As soon as he got out, New Zealand got dismissed for 337 runs, losing by just 12 runs.
2. Jesse Ryder (104 runs) – 46 balls vs West Indies
The second and fastest centuries for New Zealand came in the same game. And it was Jesse Ryder who scored the second fastest century, which came against the West Indies in January 2014 in Queenstown. The game was interrupted due to rain, and the match was reduced to 21-over per side. With not many overs to play, New Zealand went hard from the start and Ryder provided them a great start with a 46-ball century and made 104 off 51 balls. The Black Caps scored a massive 283/4 in just 21 overs and restricted the West Indies to 124/5 to win the game by 159 runs.
1. Corey Anderson (131 not out) – 36 balls vs West Indies
In the same game against the West Indies in January 2014 in Queenstown, after Jesse Ryder scored a 46-ball century, Corey Anderson also made a blistering century. He scored it even quicker, in just 36 balls, which remained the fastest in the game until AB De Villiers broke it. Anderson made an unbeaten 131 off just 47 balls, with six fours and 14 sixes. It was his inning that helped New Zealand reach an incredible total of 283/4 in just 21 overs. They won the game by 159 runs.