Test Cricket: Scoring centuries in any format of the game is a big accomplishment for any batter in the world. Especially in the longest format of the game, when all the odds are against you, it becomes more difficult to score a hundred. But there are some brilliant batters who know how to convert their starts into big ones. And to make it more special, some batters score a century at the right time.
Playing 100 tests for your country in a major tournament is a significant achievement because few players have done so in history. But if you can make it special by scoring a century in a 100th test, then certainly it becomes more memorable. That’s what we will discuss in this article. Here we will cover the list of players with a century in their 100th test.
5. David Warner (AUS) – 200 vs South Africa in Dec 2022
Veteran Australian opener David Warner becomes the latest batter to enter this elite club of batters. Warner scored a century in his 100th test of his career, which he played against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In fact, he not only scored a century but went on to score a double century, becoming only the second batter in history to score a 200 in his 100th test. Warner got retired hurt on 200 with 16 fours and 2 sixes.
4. Joe Root (ENG) – 218 vs India in Feb 2021
Former English skipper Joe Root was the 9th batter to score a century in the 100th test in his career. It was a game against India in Chennai in February 2021. He was leading his team, and it was the first game of the four-match series. He scored a big century, made 218 runs in the first inning, and became the first batter to score a double century in the 100th game. England won that game by 227 runs.
3. Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 120 & 143* vs South Africa in Jan 2006
Former Ricky Ponting was one of the leading between 2000 and 2010. He broke many batting records in his career. One such record he made is still very difficult for many batters to touch. Ponting scored twin centuries in his 100th test. He played his 100th test against South Africa at Sydney Ground in Janaury 2006. He scored 120 and 143 not out in two innings of the game and became the only player to score two centuries in his 100th test. Australia won by eight wickets.
2. Javed Miandad (PAK) – 145 vs India in Dec 1989
Former Pakistani great Javed Miandad was the second ever batter to score a century in his 100th test. He scored it against India at Lahore Stadium in December 1989. It was India that batted first and made a total of 509 in their first inning with the help of Sanjay Manjrekar, who scored an unbeaten 218. In reply, Pakistan scored 699/5 in 203.4 overs. Aamer Malik (113), Shoaib Mohammad (203 not out), and Javed Miandad scored 145. Miandad also became the first Pakistani to score a century in his 100th test.
1. Colin Cowdrey (ENG) – 104 vs Australia in July 1968
The first ever batter to score a century in the 100th test was former English star Colin Cowdrey. He scored a century against Australia in July 1968 in Birmingham. He was captaining the team and scored 104 runs in the first inning of the match. England made 409 in 172.5 overs. The game ended in a draw. However, Cowdrey scripted history in that game.
List of Players with a Hundred in 100th Test
| Batter | Runs | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Cowdrey (ENG) | 104 | Australia | Birmingham | 11 Jul 1968 |
| Javed Miandad (PAK) | 145 | India | Lahore | 1 Dec 1989 |
| Gordon Greenidge (WI) | 149 | England | St John’s | 12 Apr 1990 |
| Alec Stewart (ENG) | 105 | West Indies | Manchester | 3 Aug 2000 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) | 184 | India | Bengaluru | 24 Mar 2005 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 120 & 143* | West Indies | Sydney | 2 Jan 2006 |
| Graeme Smith (SA) | 131 | West Indies | The Oval | 19 Jul 2012 |
| Hashim Amla (SA) | 134 | Sri Lanka | Johannesburg | 12 Jan 2017 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 218 | India | Chennai | 5 Feb 2021 |
| David Warner (AUS) | 200* | West Indies | Melbourne | 26 Dec 2022 |