Presenting Australian batters with fastest Test centuries (by balls)
What's the story
Australian batter Travis Head hammered a match-winning hundred in the fourth innings of the Ashes opener against England at Perth's Optus Stadium. On a track where 30 wickets fell within the first two days, Head batted with fearlessness and helped the hosts accomplish the 205-run target. According to Cricbuzz, Head slammed the joint third-fastest century for Australia in Test cricket (by balls).
#1
Adam Gilchrist: 57 balls vs England, Perth, 2006
Adam Gilchrist holds the record for smashing the fastest century by an Australian in Test cricket. Gilchrist hammered a 57-ball ton in the 2006 Perth Test against England, powering Australia to a 206-run victory. The former wicketkeeper-batter slammed a 59-ball 102* as Australia declared their second innings on 527/5d. Chasing 557, the Englishman later perished for 350.
#2
Jack Gregory: 67 balls vs SA, Johannesburg, 1921
The second-fastest Test century from an Australian dates back to 1921. In the Johannesburg Test between South Africa and Australia, Jack Gregory hammered a ton off 67 balls. A magnificent 119 from Gregory and skipper Herbie Collins's historic double-century powered Australia to 450 in the first innings. The match was eventually drawn as the Proteas recovered after receiving a follow-on.
#3
Travis Head and David Warner: 69 balls
As mentioned, Head is the latest entrant on this elite list. He joined David Warner, who slammed a 69-ball century against India in the 2012 Perth Test (WACA). He hammered 180 off 159 balls in Australia's innings, powering them to an innings win. The hosts thrashed India by an innings and 37 runs. Head's stunning effort also came in Perth, albeit at Optus Stadium.
Do you know?
Fastest fourth-innings Test ton
According to ESPNcricinfo, Head now has the fastest fourth-innings century in Test cricket. He broke the record of England's Gilbert Jessop, who slammed a 76-ball century against Australia in the fourth innings in 1902.