Josh Inglis struck 77-ball century vs ENG (Source: AP Photos)
The 9th edition of the Champions Trophy is underway and not a single day we have spent without seeing major records broken. Yes, with the two heavyweights Australia and England lighting up the tournament on a Saturday evening, we saw an outrageous Josh Inglis rewriting the record books.
The Australian glove-men unleashed the beast inside him and went to record the joint fastest ever century struck in the history of Champions Trophy. While chasing a record-breaking 352 against England, the Yorkshire-born cricketer slammed his maiden ODI century in just 77 balls and took Australia home without breaking any sweat.
Therefore, on a night like this, let's go back in history and take a look at some of the fastest centuries in terms of balls in the history of this premier 50-over tournament.
6. Andrew Flintoff in 89 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2004
Flintoff's 89-ball century vs SL. [Source - realkaushik/x]
Andrew Flintoff’s merciless innings against Sri Lanka in Southampton, 2004 is the sixth fastest century in the competition’s history. England suffered some early blows, after being asked to bat first and Flintoff, who came to bat at five, was at his explosive best and turned the game on its head. It was his third ODI century comprising 9 boundaries and three sixes to take England to a match-winning total.
5. Marcus Trescothick in 89 balls vs Zimbabwe, 2002
Trescothick's 89-ball 100 vs ZIM. [Source - arnavv43/x]
Known as one of the most aggressive openers ever to play the game, Marcus Trescothick did justice to his reputation when he hit this swashbuckling century against Zimbabwe in just 89 balls. The left-handed opener accomplished this in the 2002 edition of the Champions Trophy in Colombo. The memorable innings came after England decided to bat first and on the back of Trescothick’s remarkable inning, posted 298 runs on the board and eventually won the match as well.
4. Tillakaratne Dilshan in 87 balls vs South Africa, 2009
Dilshan scored 87-ball vs SA. [Source - SLC/x]
2009 was Tillakaratne Dilshan’s year and it only got better when the Sri Lankan opener smashed an 87-ball century in the first match of the Champions Trophy 2009 edition. After being out to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a great start as Dilshan literally dismantled the South African attack and smashed them all around the park showcasing his impeccable timing and class.
On the back of that innings which included 16 boundaries and one six, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 319 runs on the board and eventually went on to take South Africa down.
3. Shikhar Dhawan in 80 balls vs SA, 2013
Shikhar Dhawan maiden ODI century in 80 balls vs SA. [Source - icc/x]
Shikhar Dhawan’s blitz against South Africa in the 2013 Champions Trophy opener in Cardiff was another knock which will remain in the hearts and minds of the cricket fans. It was at the very early stage of Dhawan’s career when the southpaw announced himself in the one-day format in some style, scoring a blazing 80-ball century which included 12 fours and a six. Dhawan’s masterclass ensured team India posted a match-winning 331 on the board and the MS Dhoni-led side began their championship winning campaign with a win.
2. Josh Inglis in 77 balls vs England, 2025
Josh Inglis century vs ENG in 2025 CT. [Source - Rafi4999/x]
Josh Inglis’s 77-ball century to register Australia’s first win in Champions Trophy after 16 years is the latest inclusion in the list. Known for his batting prowess in the middle overs, Inglis came out to bat during a tricky period in the chase of 352 as Australia were limited to 4 down with 134 runs on the board. The 29-year-old rose to the occasion and proved his mettle on why Australia backed him to do the job in that position.
1. Virender Sehwag in 77 balls vs England, 2002
Virender Sehwag hit 77-ball century vs Eng. [Source - allaboutcricket/x]
Virender Sehwag, often hailed as the Sultan of Multan, scored an outrageous 77-ball century while chasing 270 against England in what was the early stage of his opening days in ODI. Just after a year Sourav Ganguly promoted Sehwag to open the innings, the Delhi-born cricketer played this monumental innings, comprising 21 boundaries as India took England's total down in less than 40 overs.