Fastest to 30 Test tons

In the first innings of the third Test match between Australia and South Africa, Steve Smith scored 104 runs off 192 balls to move up to third place among Australia’s all-time century scorers in the Test format.  The former Australian captain entered to bat in the 48th over, and he had a 209-run third-wicket partnership with Usman Khawaja.

Smith broke numerous significant records when batting at the Sydney Cricket Ground, smashing 11 fours and two sixes during his innings. The 33-year-old equalled Matthew Hayden’s record for third-most hundreds scored in Test cricket for Australia, surpassing the legendary Sir Donald Bradman. Ricky Ponting, the team’s former captain, amassed the most hundreds for the team with 41 in 168 Test matches, while Steve Waugh scored 32 in as many games.

On that note, let us look at the three players who were fastest to 30 Test centuries-

3. Matthew Hayden | 167 innings | 94 matches

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden took 167 innings to reach his 30^th Test ton. Hayden ended his Test career after playing 103 games, scoring 8625 runs in 184 innings, but the 30^th century was notably the last of his career. He finished with 30 centuries and 29 half-centuries to his name.

2. Steve Smith | 162 innings | 92 matches

Currently one of the finest batters in the longest format of the game, Steve Smith notched up a ton against South Africa in the pink-ball Test on January 5, 2023. He broke multiple records while reaching the milestone, and brought up his 30^th Test century in the 162^nd innings of his 92^nd match.

1. Sachin Tendulkar | 159 innings | 99 matches

The legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who holds numerous records in the traditional format, was the fastest to 30 Test centuries, as he achieved the feat in the 159^th innings of his 99^th Test match. Tendulkar played a total of 200 Test matches in his career and celebrated as many as 51 hundreds in the format.