Top 5 fastest centuries in the history of ODI World Cup
The World Cup has seen plenty of aggressive knocks since it's inception, but in the past 4 editions batters have finally started to attack the bowlers as much as they can.
Glenn Maxwell hits the fastest World Cup century (Image via ESPN)
From becoming a format where batters took their time to build their innings and score at a strike rate below 80, One Day Internationals have grown. With the rise of T20s, batters are given more freedom and roles are given with the aim of getting quick runs.
In an age where batters still score run-a-ball centuries, there are batters who can bring up tons within 50 balls or even less. The 2023 ICC ODI World Cup had 6 out of the 10 fastest World Cup centuries scored, with batters showing off their striking and hitting skills.
Here are the 10 fastest World Cup centuries:
Sr. no | Name | Balls | Opponent | Year |
1 | Glenn Maxwell | 40 | Netherlands | 2023 |
2 | Aiden Markram | 49 | Sri Lanka | 2023 |
3 | Kevin O’Brien | 50 | England | 2011 |
4 | Glenn Maxwell | 51 | Sri Lanka | 2015 |
5 | AB de Villiers | 52 | West Indies | 2015 |
6 | Eoin Morgan | 57 | Afghanistan | 2019 |
7 | Travis Head | 59 | New Zealand | 2023 |
8 | Heinrich Klassen | 61 | England | 2023 |
9 | KL Rahul | 62 | Netherlands | 2023 |
10 | Fakhar Zaman | 63 | New Zealand | 2023 |
Top 5 fastest centuries in the history of ODI World Cup
5. AB de Villiers: 52 balls vs West Indies, 2015 World Cup
Is it possible that a list of the fastest ODI centuries is made and Mr. 360 isn’t included? AB de Villiers lit up the Sydney Cricket Ground by hitting a century off 52 balls. Coming in to bat at No. 5 and with 20 overs left, de Villiers hammered the Windies for a 66 ball 166, which had 17 boundaries and 8 maximums.
4. Glenn Maxwell: 51 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2015 World Cup
The Sydney Cricket Ground was host to yet another quick-fire ton, this time by The Big Show Glenn Maxwell. Coming in to bat with his team comfortable at 175-3 in the 32nd over, Maxwell didn’t spare the Sri Lankan bowlers as he brought up his ton in just 51 balls, one ball less than de Villiers. His innings ended 2 balls after his ton as he got dismissed by Lasith Malinga for 102 runs.
3. Kevin O’Brien: 50 balls vs England, 2011 World Cup
Chasing a massive target of 327 in the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangaluru, everyone believed it was an assured loss for Ireland. England ran through the Irish top order and middle order. At one point they were 111-5, but that didn’t stop Kevin O’Brien from smacking the English bowlers all around the park. He brought up an explosive century in just 50 balls, with 14 boundaries and 6 maximums. Although he ended his innings getting out, it was more than enough to lead Ireland to a win.
2. Aiden Markram: 49 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2023 World Cup
Aiden Markram broke O’Brien’s record of the fastest century with one of the best knocks the World Cup has ever seen. He brought up his ton in just 49 balls, finishing the innings with 106 on the board. In his massacre of the Sri Lankan bowlers, he hit 14 boundaries and 3 sixes on a highway pitch in the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
1. Glenn Maxwell: 40 balls vs Netherlands, 2023 World Cup
It looks like Glenn Maxwell can’t stop himself from scoring quickfire centuries. Just 18 days after Markram scored his 49-ball-ton, Maxwell broke his record by scoring a century in 40 balls against the Dutch in the Arun Jaitley Stadium. His century ensured Australia posted 399 on the board, one of the highest scores of the tournament.
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Dhruv Kulkarni
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