|
|
|
| November 22, 2006 | Wednesday | Shawwal 29, 1427 |
Lara seventh fastest to three-figure mark
MULTAN, Nov 21: Brian Lara, the record-breaking West Indies batting genius, became the seventh fastest scorer of a Test century in terms of balls on the third day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Lara, who needed 77 deliveries to reach the 100-run mark, achieved three more milestones during the course of his magnificent innings.
The West Indian captain took 26 runs in a Danish Kaneria over (4,0,6,6,6,4), falling just short of the record which already belongs to him – when he hit South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson for 28 runs in an over at Johannesburg in 2003-04.
Lara’s 34th century in this his 130th Test also lifted into joint second place in the list of most number of centuries, alongside former India captain Sunil Gavaskar. Now only Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian little master, stands ahead of Lara with 35 hundreds in 132 Tests.
Lara’s century before lunch is the second time he had achieved the landmark in his illustrious career. He scored 114 in the first session of the second day’s play in the Bulawayo Test against Zimbabwe in 2003-04 after resuming at 77.
Former West Indies captain Viv Richards has the honour of scoring the fastest-ever century in Test cricket. The legendary batsman took 56 to reach three-figure against England at St John’s in 1985-86.
Next on the list are Australia’s Jack Gregory (67 balls), West Indians Shivnarine Chanderpaul (69) and Roy Fredericks (71).
Pakistan’s Majid Khan reached his century in 74 balls against New Zealand at Karachi in 1976-77. During that innings, Majid became only the fourth man to hit century before lunch on the first day of the match. Other batsmen in this bracket are Australian trio of Victor Trumper (v England at Old Trafford, 1902), Charlie Macartney (v England at Headingley, 1926) and Don Bradman (v England at Headingley, 1930).
Apart from Majid, Indians Mohammad Azharuddin and Kapil Dev had also completed their centuries in 74 balls. Gilbert Jessop of England reached his hundred in 76 balls against Australia at The Oval in 1902.
Fastest centuries in terms of balls:
56 – I.V.A. Richards, West Indies v England at St John’s, 1985-86.
67 – J.M. Gregory, Australia v South Africa at Johannesburg, 1921-22.
69 – S. Chanderpaul, West Indies v Australia at Georgetown, 2002-03.
71 – R.C. Fredericks, West Indies v Australia at Perth, 1975-76.
74 – Majid Khan, Pakistan v New Zealand at Karachi, 1976-77.
74 – Kapil Dev, India v Sri Lanka at Kanpur, 1986-77.
74 – M. Azharuddin, India v South Africa at Kolkata, 1996-97.
76 – G.L. Jessop, England v Australia at The Oval, 1902.
77 – B.C. Lara, West Indies v Pakistan at Multan, 2006-07.
78 – Shahid Afridi, Pakistan v West Indies at Bridgetown, 2004-05.
78 – Shahid Afridi, Pakistan v India at Lahore, 2005-06.
79 – C.H. Gayle, West Indies v South Africa, 2003-04.
79 – C.H. Gayle, West Indies v England at The Oval, 2004.
80 – C.L. Hooper, West Indies v Pakistan at Karachi, 1997-98.
81 – D.P.M.D. Jayawardene, Sri Lanka v Bangladesh at Colombo, 2001-02.
81 – Kamran Akmal, Pakistan v India at Lahore, 2005-06.
82 – B.C. Lara, West Indies v Australia at St John’s, 1998-99.
82 – D.L. Vettori, New Zealand v Zimbabwe at Harare, 2005-06.
84 – A.C. Gilchrist, Australia v India at Mumbai, 2000-01.
84 – A.C. Gilchrist, Australia v Zimbabwe at Perth, 2003-04.
84 – M.L. Hayden, Australia v Zimbabwe at Sydney, 2003-04.
|
|
|
|
