Fastest Centuries in the Men’s Cricket World Cup by Balls Faced
The quickest hundreds in men’s Cricket World Cup history ranked by balls faced, from Glenn Maxwell’s 40-ball century to Eoin Morgan’s 57, as of 2024.
Speed of scoring in World Cup hundreds has risen sharply over the years. The table lists five of the fastest centuries in the men’s tournament by balls faced, correct as of 2024.
| Balls | Batter | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Glenn Maxwell (Australia) | Netherlands | Delhi | 2023 |
| 49 | Aiden Markram (South Africa) | Sri Lanka | Delhi | 2023 |
| 50 | Kevin O’Brien (Ireland) | England | Bengaluru | 2011 |
| 52 | AB de Villiers (South Africa) | West Indies | Sydney | 2015 |
| 57 | Eoin Morgan (England) | Afghanistan | Manchester | 2019 |
Maxwell’s record
Maxwell’s 40-ball hundred in the 2023 World Cup took the record from Markram, who had reached his century in 49 balls in the same tournament and in the same city only weeks earlier.
O’Brien’s innings
Kevin O’Brien’s hundred helped Ireland chase 328 against England at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and for several years it stood as the quickest in World Cup history.
De Villiers and Morgan
AB de Villiers reached his hundred against West Indies in 52 balls in 2015, and Eoin Morgan hit 17 sixes in his 148 against Afghanistan at Old Trafford in 2019.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored the fastest World Cup century?
Glenn Maxwell, in 40 balls against the Netherlands in 2023.
Which Irish batter scored a fast World Cup hundred?
Kevin O’Brien reached a century in 50 balls against England in 2011.
Is the list complete?
It shows five of the fastest centuries, correct as of 2024.