Fast hundreds in futile causes
India lost the third one-day international against Australia by 47 runs despite Yuvraj Singh's 121 off 115 balls. A look at the fastest hundred-plus scores in ODI defeats and the slowest in victories
Travis Basevi and George Binoy
10-Oct-2007
India lost the third one-day international against Australia by 47 runs despite Yuvraj Singh's 121 off 115 balls. This week we look at the fastest 100-plus scores in ODI defeats and the slowest hundreds in victories.
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Highest strike-rate for centuries in ODI defeats
Basit Ali v West Indies, Sharjah, 1993
Pakistan were struggling at 87 for 3 in the 28th over after being put in by Richie Richardson in the final of a tri-nation tournament. The responsibility of leading the recovery lay with Salim Malik and Basit Ali, who had played only nine ODIs and was yet to make an impact on the international circuit. Ali took charge of the counter attack and took on the West Indian bowlers: Curtly Ambrose, Kenny Benjamin, and the support act of Phil Simmons and Carl Hooper. He hit five sixes and 12 fours and reached his maiden century off only 67 balls, five slower than Mohammad Azharuddin's record for the fastest ODI hundred at the time. Ali remained unbeaten on 127 off 79 deliveries and had added 172 with Malik in 21 overs to boost Pakistan to 284 for 4. However, Ali's thunder was stolen by Brian Lara, who scored 153 off 143 balls and led West Indies to victory with 27 balls in hand.
Pakistan were struggling at 87 for 3 in the 28th over after being put in by Richie Richardson in the final of a tri-nation tournament. The responsibility of leading the recovery lay with Salim Malik and Basit Ali, who had played only nine ODIs and was yet to make an impact on the international circuit. Ali took charge of the counter attack and took on the West Indian bowlers: Curtly Ambrose, Kenny Benjamin, and the support act of Phil Simmons and Carl Hooper. He hit five sixes and 12 fours and reached his maiden century off only 67 balls, five slower than Mohammad Azharuddin's record for the fastest ODI hundred at the time. Ali remained unbeaten on 127 off 79 deliveries and had added 172 with Malik in 21 overs to boost Pakistan to 284 for 4. However, Ali's thunder was stolen by Brian Lara, who scored 153 off 143 balls and led West Indies to victory with 27 balls in hand.
Ricky Ponting v South Africa, Johannesburg, 2006
The series was level at 2-2 with one to play and after Ricky Ponting's savage innings, no one gave the South Africans a realistic chance of coming close to the target, let alone overhauling it. Australia batted first on what must rank among the best batting pitches in the history of the game, and the 400-barrier was broken for the first time in one-day internationals. Ponting took charge, scoring 164 off 105 balls. He hammered nine sixes over the small boundaries at the Wanderers, and once Australia reached 434 for 4 the game seemed over as a contest. But nobody told Herschelle Gibbs: his 175 off 111 would have made jaws drop in a Twenty20 game. His century set up a thrilling finish and South Africa won with a ball to spare.
The series was level at 2-2 with one to play and after Ricky Ponting's savage innings, no one gave the South Africans a realistic chance of coming close to the target, let alone overhauling it. Australia batted first on what must rank among the best batting pitches in the history of the game, and the 400-barrier was broken for the first time in one-day internationals. Ponting took charge, scoring 164 off 105 balls. He hammered nine sixes over the small boundaries at the Wanderers, and once Australia reached 434 for 4 the game seemed over as a contest. But nobody told Herschelle Gibbs: his 175 off 111 would have made jaws drop in a Twenty20 game. His century set up a thrilling finish and South Africa won with a ball to spare.
Javed Miandad v India, Lahore, 1982
Pakistan led the four-match series 2-0 and were superbly placed to go three up after twin centuries from Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad, whose 119 took only 77 balls. The start of the match had been delayed by 45 minutes and further delays curtailed Pakistan's innings to 33 overs. During that time Miandad caused havoc, hitting five sixes and six fours, and adding 158 with Abbas for the third wicket. Abbas was a little slower, scoring 105 off 82 balls. Pakistan set India a daunting 252 in 33 overs. India made a strong reply, reaching 172 for 1 before losing three quick wickets. However, when bad light stopped play after the 27th over India were declared winners because they were on 193 for 4 compared to Pakistan's 175 for 2 at the same stage.
Pakistan led the four-match series 2-0 and were superbly placed to go three up after twin centuries from Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad, whose 119 took only 77 balls. The start of the match had been delayed by 45 minutes and further delays curtailed Pakistan's innings to 33 overs. During that time Miandad caused havoc, hitting five sixes and six fours, and adding 158 with Abbas for the third wicket. Abbas was a little slower, scoring 105 off 82 balls. Pakistan set India a daunting 252 in 33 overs. India made a strong reply, reaching 172 for 1 before losing three quick wickets. However, when bad light stopped play after the 27th over India were declared winners because they were on 193 for 4 compared to Pakistan's 175 for 2 at the same stage.
| Player | Runs | BF | SR | Opposition | Ground | Date | Scorecard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basit Ali (Pak) | 127* | 79 | 160.75 | v West Indies | Sharjah | 5 Nov 1993 | ODI 845 |
| RT Ponting (Aus) | 164 | 105 | 156.19 | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 12 Mar 2006 | ODI 2349 |
| Javed Miandad (Pak) | 119* | 77 | 154.54 | v India | Lahore | 31 Dec 1982 | ODI 164 |
| JM Davison (Can) | 111 | 76 | 146.05 | v West Indies | Centurion | 23 Feb 2003 | ODI 1963 |
| KP Pietersen (Eng) | 100* | 69 | 144.92 | v South Africa | East London | 9 Feb 2005 | ODI 2224 |
| Zaheer Abbas (Pak) | 123 | 87 | 141.37 | v Sri Lanka | Lahore | 29 Mar 1982 | ODI 150 |
| JDP Oram (NZ) | 101* | 72 | 140.27 | v Australia | Perth | 28 Jan 2007 | ODI 2488 |
| ST Jayasuriya (SL) | 112 | 87 | 128.73 | v England | Leeds | 2 Jul 2002 | ODI 1850 |
| DI Gower (Eng) | 109 | 85 | 128.23 | v New Zealand | Adelaide | 29 Jan 1983 | ODI 176 |
| Zaheer Abbas (Pak) | 105 | 82 | 128.04 | v India | Lahore | 31 Dec 1982 | ODI 164 |
| SV Manjrekar (India) | 105 | 82 | 128.04 | v South Africa | New Delhi | 14 Nov 1991 | ODI 688 |
| MEK Hussey (Aus) | 105 | 84 | 125.00 | v New Zealand | Auckland | 18 Feb 2007 | ODI 2526 |
| MEK Hussey (Aus) | 109* | 90 | 121.11 | v West Indies | Kuala Lumpur | 18 Sep 2006 | ODI 2417 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pak) | 122 | 102 | 119.60 | v India | Karachi | 13 Mar 2004 | ODI 2112 |
| K Srikkanth (India) | 123 | 103 | 119.41 | v Pakistan | Kolkata | 18 Feb 1987 | ODI 434 |
Click here for the full tables.
Slowest strike-rate for centuries in matches won
David Boon v India, Hobart, 1991
India's batsmen had struggled on a slow pitch with variable bounce and limped to 175 for 8 in their 50 overs. Although Australia were not tested during their run-chase, they batted cautiously against the Indian bowlers. David Boon, playing in front of his home crowd, shared a 129-run stand with Dean Jones that took Australia to the verge of victory. Towards the end of the run-chase, Jones gave the majority of the strike to Boon so that he could reach his century. Boon finished not out on 102 off 168 balls and Australia won by eight wickets and nine balls to spare.
India's batsmen had struggled on a slow pitch with variable bounce and limped to 175 for 8 in their 50 overs. Although Australia were not tested during their run-chase, they batted cautiously against the Indian bowlers. David Boon, playing in front of his home crowd, shared a 129-run stand with Dean Jones that took Australia to the verge of victory. Towards the end of the run-chase, Jones gave the majority of the strike to Boon so that he could reach his century. Boon finished not out on 102 off 168 balls and Australia won by eight wickets and nine balls to spare.
Gordon Greenidge v India, Edgbaston, 1979
Gordon Greenidge developed a reputation for shredding bowling attacks but he occupies second and third places on our list of slowest centuries in victories. In the opening game of the 1979 World Cup, India were bowled out for 190 in the first innings. Greenidge and Desmond Haynes began solidly but were in no hurry for they had 60 overs to get to the target. They added 138 for the first wicket and Greenidge went on to score an unbeaten 106 off 173 balls. It was one of only two centuries of the 1979 World Cup and West Indies won with 8.3 overs to spare.
Gordon Greenidge developed a reputation for shredding bowling attacks but he occupies second and third places on our list of slowest centuries in victories. In the opening game of the 1979 World Cup, India were bowled out for 190 in the first innings. Greenidge and Desmond Haynes began solidly but were in no hurry for they had 60 overs to get to the target. They added 138 for the first wicket and Greenidge went on to score an unbeaten 106 off 173 balls. It was one of only two centuries of the 1979 World Cup and West Indies won with 8.3 overs to spare.
| Player | Runs | BF | SR | Opposition | Ground | Date | Scorecard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Boon (Aus) | 102* | 168 | 60.71 | v India | Hobart | 10 Dec 1991 | ODI 694 |
| CG Greenidge (WI) | 106* | 173 | 61.27 | v India | Birmingham | 9 Jun 1979 | ODI 61 |
| CG Greenidge (WI) | 103 | 161 | 63.97 | v Pakistan | Melbourne | 21 Nov 1981 | ODI 122 |
| GM Turner (NZ) | 114* | 177 | 64.40 | v India | Manchester | 14 Jun 1975 | ODI 28 |
| RS Mahanama (SL) | 101 | 153 | 66.01 | v West Indies | Sharjah | 11 Oct 1995 | ODI 1006 |
| GR Marsh (Aus) | 106* | 158 | 67.08 | v West Indies | Georgetown | 20 Mar 1991 | ODI 675 |
| DC Boon (Aus) | 100 | 147 | 68.02 | v West Indies | Melbourne | 18 Mar 1992 | ODI 749 |
| GR Marsh (Aus) | 101 | 148 | 68.24 | v New Zealand | Sydney | 20 Jan 1988 | ODI 498 |
| GR Marsh (Aus) | 111* | 162 | 68.51 | v England | Lord's | 29 May 1989 | ODI 568 |
| RJ Shastri (India) | 101* | 147 | 68.70 | v Sri Lanka | Nagpur | 1 Dec 1990 | ODI 644 |
| Rameez Raja (Pak) | 107* | 154 | 69.48 | v Sri Lanka | Adelaide | 17 Feb 1990 | ODI 606 |
| AJ Stewart (Eng) | 101 | 144 | 70.13 | v Zimbabwe | Birmingham | 18 Jul 2000 | ODI 1617 |
| SC Williams (WI) | 105* | 149 | 70.46 | v India | Sharjah | 16 Dec 1997 | ODI 1264 |
| AJ Stewart (Eng) | 103 | 145 | 71.03 | v Pakistan | The Oval | 22 May 1992 | ODI 757 |
| ADR Campbell (Zim) | 103 | 145 | 71.03 | v Bangladesh | Harare | 8 Apr 2001 | ODI 1703 |
Click here for the full tables.
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Travis Basevi is the man who built Statsguru. George Binoy is an editorial assistant on Cricinfo