Top 12 Slowest Centuries in Test Cricket History

Batting in Test cricket is about scoring runs with speed, concentration and technical perfection. Unlike limited-overs cricket, where aggression often pays off, Test cricket celebrates endurance. Over the years, some batsmen have shown great determination against world-class bowlers. These remarkable achievements include some innings in Test history that exemplify patience and mental strength. These innings may not be entertaining in terms of strike rate, but they remain timeless in their grit and defensive prowess.

Let’s explore the top 12 slowest centuries in Test cricket history, based on the number of balls faced to reach the century.

1. Michael Cowdray (England): 535 Balls Against West Indies, 1957, Birmingham

Michael Cowdray holds the record for the slowest century in Test cricket history. Against the West Indies bowling attack in the Birmingham Test in 1957, Cowdray faced an incredible 535 balls to reach his century. The match was played on a slow pitch which gave the batsmen little experience and England were in deep trouble from the start. Cowdray showed great patience and technique.

He played an innings that lasted 434 minutes (over 7 hours).

2. Nazar Mohammad (Pakistan): 520 Balls Against India, 1952, Lucknow

Pakistan’s Nazar Mohammad entered the record books during Pakistan’s first Test series win. Facing India in Lucknow, he batted during the innings, scoring an unbeaten 124 runs off 520 balls. This innings was the basis for Pakistan’s historic victory and their first Test win since independence. It was a match that defined Pakistan’s fighting spirit and marked the advent of a cricketing nation.

3. Derrick McGlue (South Africa): 485 Balls Against Australia, 1958, Durban

Derrick McGlue was known for his cautious style, and his century against Australia in 1958 is one of the slowest centuries in history. McGlue took 485 balls to complete his century, and he batted with incredible concentration. The match was played on a pitch in Durban, and McGlue’s innings helped South Africa eliminate the Australian attack and draw. Although the spectators found it too much of a shock, his efforts reflected the old symbol of patience.

4. Albert Watkins (England): 480 Balls Against India, 1951, Delhi

Albert Watkins’ century against India in Delhi came from 480 balls. Batting on a difficult pitch, Watkins’ innings were more about survival than aggression. He held England’s innings together, frustrated the Indian bowlers and displayed a textbook defence. The innings did not bring him fame, but it was one of the most disciplined efforts ever seen in Test cricket.

5. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan): 448 Balls Against England, 1962, Dhaka

Pakistan’s great “Little Master,” Hanif Mohammad, was the epitome of patience. During the 1962 Test at Dhaka (now Dhaka), he played a defensive innings against England, scoring a century off 448 balls in the first innings. Hanif was renowned for his ability to stay at the crease for hours. His level of concentration was unparalleled.

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6. Peter Richardson (England): 440 Balls Against South Africa, 1956, Johannesburg

Peter Richardson was another English batsman in the classical mould. His century against South Africa in Johannesburg came off 440 balls, as he ground down the home attack in humid conditions. Although not brilliant, his innings were crucial in stabilizing England’s position. Such innings highlight the strategic importance of timing-batting in Tests.

7. Mudassar Nazar (Pakistan): 419 Balls Vs England, 1977, Lahore

Mudassar Nazar’s century against England in Lahore was not only the slowest, but also the slowest in terms of time spent at the crease. He took 419 balls and 557 minutes (over 9 hours) to reach 100, the longest century ever. The innings was painfully slow but deliberate. Nazar’s intention was to tire out the English bowlers and create a platform. He succeeded and Pakistan scored a big score and won the Test.

8. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan): 410 Balls Vs England, 1962, Dhaka (Second Innings)

Surprisingly, Hanif Mohammad appears once again on this list for the slowest century in the same match against England in 1962. After facing 448 balls in his first innings, he scored his second century in the second innings, facing 410 balls. This performance is unmatched with two centuries in a single Test, both requiring more than 400 balls. It shows Hanif’s great concentration and his unrivaled defensive technique.

9. Thilan Samaraweera (Sri Lanka): 408 Balls Vs England, 2003, Colombo

Thilan Samaraweera was one of Sri Lanka’s most technically sound and underrated batsmen. During the 2003–04 tour of England, he scored one of the slowest centuries ever, reaching his century in 408 balls in Colombo. He and Mahela Jayawardene shared a 262-run partnership, dominating England with patience. Samaraweera’s calm demeanor helped Sri Lanka score a total and win the series-deciding Test.

10. Asanka Gurusinha (Sri Lanka): 405 Balls Against Zimbabwe, 1994, Harare

Asanka’s 405-ball century against Zimbabwe in 1994 was another display of Test discipline. Batting on the slow surface of Harare, Gurusinha frustrated the bowlers relentlessly. Although it was not a high-profile match, his innings helped Sri Lanka avoid defeat and lay the foundation for their rise in cricket. He scored 143 runs in that innings, showing great determination and composure throughout the game.

11. John Wright (New Zealand): 399 Balls Against India, 1981, Auckland

New Zealand’s John Wright was known for his stubborn batting. Against India in Auckland, he took 399 balls to reach his century. He built brick by brick, stopping India’s spinners and seamers with classical techniques. Wright’s dogged determination saw New Zealand finally gain a strong foothold.

12. Jimmy Adams (West Indies): 365-Ball Century Against Zimbabwe, 2000

Jimmy Adams completed the list with a 365-ball century against Zimbabwe. Known for his calm demeanor and technically sound batting, Adams was a difficult batsman to dismiss in a set. In that match, he bowled like a captain, destroying one session after another of Zimbabwe’s bowlers. His patient attitude allowed West Indies to win comfortably, with Adams remaining unbeaten.

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Key Insights From The Slowest Century

• Michael Cowdrey’s 535-ball century remains the slowest century in Test history.
• Mudassar Nazar’s 557-minute effort is the slowest century in terms of time.
• Hanif Mohammad is the only player to have scored two centuries in 400+ balls in a single match.
• Geoffrey Boycott and Leonard Hutton often took 300+ balls for their centuries.
• Such innings, though rare today, represent the traditional essence of Test cricket.

Conclusion

The slowest centuries in Test cricket tell tales of grit and timeless patience. These innings remind us that Test cricket, at its heart, is a battle of endurance and not just between bat and ball, but also between willpower and fatigue. In a world full of pace, these batsmen stood firm, and in doing so created history.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who holds the record for the slowest century in Test cricket history?

England’s Michael Cowdrey made 100 off 535 balls against the West Indies at Birmingham in 1957.

Q2. Which player took the longest time (in minutes) to score a Test century?

Pakistan’s Mudassar Nazar holds the record. In 1977, during a Test against England in Lahore, he batted for an astonishing 557 minutes (over 9 hours) to reach his century.

Q3. Has any player ever scored two slow centuries in a single Test match?

Yes. Pakistan’s great opener Hanif Mohammad achieved this feat in a Test against England at Dhaka in 1962. He scored 111 (448 balls) in the first innings and 104 (410 balls) in the second innings.

Q4. Are slow centuries still common in modern Test cricket?

Not really. The modern era has seen a shift towards aggressive batting, even in Test matches.

Q5. Why are slow centuries important in Test cricket?

Slow centuries demonstrate the mental toughness and tactical acumen of a batsman. These innings often come under pressure, when the team’s survival depends on seizing the edge.

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