The ultimate plateau for any batsman is reaching three digits and it does not matter on how many occasions you score them or on what occasion you achieve the feat, the milestone stands to be always special.
We saw the youngster Shreyas Iyer score a brilliant Test ton for team India in the ongoing 1st Test vs the Kiwis and in the process, he became the 16th Indian to score a ton on his debut. Yes, you have seen players register tons over all the formats and on many different occasions, today Cricwizz brings you interesting numbers on the tons scored in cricket.
1) Only player to score a ton on both ODI and Test debut
No, not many players have achieved the feat. This unique milestone has been to date only achieved by one player. Pakistan batsman Abid Ali holds the prestigious record. The 34-year old scored his maiden ODI ton (112) against Australia on his debut following his brilliant knock, he was later picked for the Test squad against Sri Lanka, where he managed to begin his Test career with a ton (109*) in his home ground to achieve the unique feat.
# Unfortunately, both his debut heroics went in vain as the Aussies managed to steal a victory by 6 runs. While the Test match ended in a draw after the weather played the spoilsport.
2) Youngest to score an International ton
A record that stands tall after close to 25 years, the youngest player ever to score the magic three digits belong to none other than “boom boom” Afridi. The former Pakistani skipper who holds several records to his name achieved this feat at the tender age of 16 years and 217 days.
The hard hitter blitzed his way to the century off just 37 balls against the Lankans and held the record for the fastest ton in ODIs for close to 18 years until it was broken by Corey Anderson of New Zealand (36 balls).
3) Oldest to score an International ton
Sir Jack Hobbs owns this unique feat of the oldest player to score a ton in international cricket. It was way back in the year 1929 against their arch-rival- Australia. The 46-year old was seen in full flow and ended up scoring a fluent 142 off 301 balls which included 11 fours.
However, the heroics went in vain as the Aussies manage to come out victorious by a comfortable margin of 5 wickets. Who do you think in the current era can beat this record?
4) Big names who failed to score a ton in ODIs
There are quite a few big names who have failed to score a ton in limited. However, our focus is on two of the biggest names in the sporting world. Yes, the former Pakistani skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and former England captain Micheal Vaughan.
Although, the duo has managed to score 28 centuries between them in the longest format, given their stature it comes as a shock that they failed to reach at least on one occasion in the limited-overs. Well, one could say their ODI career has not been as impressive as their success as leaders of the team.
Let us take a look at their ODI stats
| Matches | Runs | Average | HS | |
| Misbah-ul-Haq | 162 | 5122 | 43 | 96 |
| M Vaughan | 86 | 1982 | 27 | 90 |
5) First woman to score an international ton
Rewind the clock back to 1935, yes indeed, it did not take very long for the first ton to be recorded in the women's division as it was first achieved in the 2nd ever Test match, held between Australia and England. English opener Mrytle Maclagan became the first woman cricketer to register the magical figures in the longest format.
While, in the limited-overs format, the record belongs to Lynne Thomas of England as well, back in 1973 against International Xl, where she played a majestic inning of 134. The same match saw her fellow opener Enid Bakewell score her maiden ton as well.
In the shortest format, Deandra Dottin holds the feat. The hard hitter smashed her way to a ton off just 40 balls, finishing 112* which included 7 fours and 9 sixes against South Africa in the year 2010.
Any guesses on the first and only woman to score tons in all formats of the game? The record belongs to the English skipper- Heather Knight. She achieved the feat during the 2020 ICC T20 WC when she scored a 66 ball 108 against the clueless Thailand side.
Stay tuned with Cricwizz for part II. Do let us know which feat did you find the most interesting. Also, do follow our Social media handles as we bring you exciting content round the clock.
Cover Credits: CricketEngland
