Flashback: The batter who scored the 100th century in Test cricket

Cricket is one of the most popular sports worldwide and has a vast history. The gentleman’s game has changed a lot over the years with the induction of new formats and rules. However, the drill remains the same – score runs, take wickets and win the match. Meanwhile, scoring a hundred is considered a massive feat for a batter as it takes a lot to reach the three-figure mark.

It takes one delivery to end a batter’s stay at the crease. Hence, it requires immense precision to bat that long. Nonetheless, many prominent batters have graced this game and scored centuries in all three formats. However, do you know who scored the 100th ton in Test cricket? He was Jack Sharp of England, who recorded this feat in 1909.

100th century was recorded in 105th Test

Notably, Sharp, who also played football at a professional level, featured in just three Test matches. One of them saw him recording a milestone. It was the fifth Test between England and Australia and the venue was the Oval in London. Overall, it was the 105th match in the purest format of the game. Batting first at the venue, Australia posted 325 thanks to a brilliant 136 from opener Warren Bardsley.

Notably, Sharp, who was also a left-arm pacer, took three wickets in the first innings. In reply, Australia lost two quick wickets before Wilfred Rhodes and C.B. Fry added 104 runs for the third wicket. Fry’s departure saw Sharp coming into bat at number five.

The right-handed batter was aggressive in his intent as he played some delightful shots all over the park. After fall of some quick wickets, Sharp found a potent partner in number-eight batter Kenneth Hutchings. The duo added 142 runs for the seventh wicket as England went past Australia’s total. In the process, Sharp notched up his maiden Test ton, the 100th in Test cricket.

England went on to post 352 and the game eventually resulted in a draw. Meanwhile, that game proved out to be Sharp’s third and last Test match.