The 5 fastest half-centuries in Test cricket by balls faced
India’s Rishabh Pant hit a Test half-century in just 36 deliveries against New Zealand in Mumbai recently – but it’s far from the quickest a batter has reached 50.
Pant broke Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record for the fastest Test 50 by an Indian batter, but it doesn’t even rank in the top five of quickest half-tons in the longest format of the international game.
We are talking balls faced here, folks – not necessarily minutes spent at the crease.
5. Shane Shillingford
Shillingford wasn’t known for his batting back in 2014. He was selected by the West Indies as a specialist spinner, but quickly showed his worth with the willow by banging a half-ton from a mere 25 balls against New Zealand in Kingston.
A New Zealand bowling attack spearheaded by Tim Southee and Trent Boult had very few to no answers to the number 11’s enterprising stroke play. The Black Caps won the match, regardless, but not before being put to the veritable sword for an entertaining innings by Shillingford.
4. Ben Stokes
This time, the West Indies were the opponents, when the England all-rounder really got going at Edgbaston in Birmingham in 2024.
Opening the batting in a quick and easy chase for the hosts, Stokes nailed two sixes and nine fours en route to 57 not out from 28 deliveries. He had places to go, people to see, so evidently didn’t want to hang around for long. The 50 came off 24 deliveries as the Edgbaston crowed cheered on their national captain in delight.
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3. Jacques Kallis
The South Africa all-rounder was not necessarily a big-hitter, but every now and then really turned it on. This aggressive intent was witnessed at Newlands in Cape Town in 2005.
The Zimbabwe bowling attack was pasted to all corners of Kallis’ homeground during his 24-ball half-century. Kallis also took five wickets in the game to be named Player of the Match. Newlands, by the way, was also the scene of his maiden Test double-century.
2. David Warner
In 2017, in Sydney, the Australian opener was in solid form on his way to a 23-ball half-century in the home side’s second innings.
Wahab Riaz’s pace and Yasir Shah’s extra bounce and turn could not successfully combat Warner, who capped a 22-run win for Australia.
Warner had hit a ton in the first innings, too, and was named Player of the Match. Seven years later, his 23-ball 50 is still the second-quickest in the history of the format.
1. Misbah-ul-Haq
The Pakistan kingpin hit two centuries during Pakistan’s famous 356-run win over Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014. His record 21-ball half-century was en route to that fourth-innings century.
Misbah was marvelous against the three Mitchells – Johnson, Starc and Marsh. Azhar Ali was along for the ride, too, and also scored a century.
This is how fans will want to remember Misbah – not the man that all but lost the T20 World Cup final for them in 2007.
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