Top 10 Slowest Hundreds in Test Cricket History: Unbreakable Patience

In a cricketing world dominated by big shots and quick runs, some batters have stood out by doing the exact opposite. Their centuries were not scored in a hurry, but with patience, determination, and mental strength. These legendary knocks have gone down in history as the Slowest Hundreds in Test matches. While they may not have thrilled the crowds with speed, they certainly impressed with their sheer resilience. Below are the Top 10 Slowest Hundreds in Test cricket ranked from 10 to 1.

List of Top 10 Slowest Hundreds in Test Cricket History

10. John Wright (New Zealand) – 399 Balls vs India, Auckland, 1981

John Wright, one of New Zealand’s most consistent openers, played an incredibly patient knock against India in Auckland in 1981. His innings came in response to India’s total of 238 runs. Wright took 399 balls to reach his century and eventually made 110 runs off 434 deliveries. His stay at the crease lasted 7 hours and 40 minutes, and his steady batting helped New Zealand post a total of 366, taking a crucial lead. Though the match ended in a draw, Wright’s name entered the history books for scoring one of the Slowest Hundreds in Test cricket.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
John Wright	399	India	Auckland	1981

9. Asanka Gurusinha (Sri Lanka) – 405 Balls vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 1994

Asanka Gurusinha played a rock-solid innings in October 1994 against Zimbabwe in Harare. He took 405 balls to score his hundred, making it the ninth Slowest Hundred in Test history. He ended up scoring 128 off 461 balls, with 14 boundaries and one six. The innings stretched across two days and helped Sri Lanka post 383 runs. Unfortunately, rain interfered and the match ended in a draw, but Gurusinha’s concentration was a highlight of the Test.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Asanka Gurusinha	405	Zimbabwe	Harare	1994

8. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan) – 410 Balls vs England, Dacca, 1962

Hanif Mohammad, known for his composure, played a memorable knock in Dacca (now Dhaka) in January 1962. Facing England, he took 410 balls to bring up his century, eventually scoring 111 off 497 balls. His marathon innings lasted over 9 hours and remains one of the Slowest Hundreds in Test cricket. Hanif’s ability to block and frustrate bowlers made him a legend in Pakistan’s cricket history.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Hanif Mohammad	410	England	Dacca	1962

7. Mudassar Nazar (Pakistan) – 419 Balls vs England, Lahore, 1977

Another gritty Pakistani batter, Mudassar Nazar, etched his name in the records by scoring one of the Slowest Hundreds in Test cricket. Playing against England in December 1977 in Lahore, he reached his century in 419 balls. He went on to score 114 runs from 449 deliveries. His innings lasted 9 hours and 51 minutes. This knock laid the foundation for Pakistan’s total of 407/9, after which they declared. The Test eventually ended in a draw.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Mudassar Nazar	419	England	Lahore	1977

6. Peter Richardson (England) – 440 Balls vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 1956

Peter Richardson’s innings against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1956 is another gem in the list of Slowest Hundreds in Test matches. He took 440 balls to bring up his hundred and scored 117 runs with just six boundaries. He occupied the crease for 8 hours and 45 minutes. His painstakingly slow innings helped England take control of the match, which they won by 131 runs.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Peter Richardson	440	South Africa	Johannesburg	1956

5. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan) – 448 Balls vs England, Dacca, 1962

Yes, Hanif Mohammad appears again! In the same Test in which he took 410 balls to score a century in the first innings, he went even slower in the second innings. Hanif reached his second century in 448 balls, scoring 104 runs. This made him the only player to have two Slowest Hundreds in Test cricket in a single match. His ability to bat long remains unmatched.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Hanif Mohammad	448	England	Dacca	1962

4. Allan Watkins (England) – 480 Balls vs India, Delhi, 1951

Allan Watkins’ effort in Delhi in 1951 was the fourth-slowest century in Test history. He reached his hundred in 480 balls and went on to score 137 runs. His stay at the crease lasted over 9 hours. The Test saw multiple players bat for more than 8 hours, but Watkins’ knock stood out for its calm and determination truly one of the Slowest Hundreds in Test matches.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Allan Watkins	480	India	Delhi	1951

3. Derrick McGlew (South Africa) – 485 Balls vs Australia, Durban, 1958

Derrick McGlew holds the record for the third Slowest Hundreds in Test cricket. He took 485 balls to reach his century against Australia in Durban in 1958. McGlew’s final score was 105, and he batted for 9 hours and 35 minutes. South Africa posted 384 runs in response to Australia’s 163. His epic innings helped the team avoid defeat.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Derrick McGlew	485	Australia	Durban	1958

2. Nazar Mohammad (Pakistan) – 520 Balls vs India, Lucknow, 1952

Nazar Mohammad played a historic role in Pakistan’s first-ever Test win, and he did so with extreme patience. In Lucknow, 1952, he took 520 balls to complete his century, scoring an unbeaten 124. His innings lasted 515 minutes. Pakistan bowled India out twice and won the match by an innings and 43 runs. This epic innings remains one of the most meaningfulSlowest Hundreds in Test history.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Nazar Mohammad	520	India	Lucknow	1952

1. Colin Cowdrey (England) – 535 Balls vs West Indies, Birmingham, 1957

The record for the Slowest Hundreds in Test history belongs to England’s Colin Cowdrey. Facing West Indies in Birmingham in 1957, Cowdrey took an incredible 535 balls to score his century. He went on to make 154 runs with 16 boundaries. His patient knock helped England avoid a loss, and the match ended in a draw. This unforgettable innings defines endurance and self-control in cricket.

Player	Balls to Reach 100	Opponent	Venue	Year
Colin Cowdrey	535	West Indies	Birmingham	1957

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