Even though Test is largely neglected in women’s cricket there have been many women who have dominated the game. However, across formats, a century is still used as a benchmark to measure the success of a cricketer’s innings. Getting a century in test matches is tougher as the batter has to endure the wrath of the swing bowlers and has to maintain their determination throughout their innings.
The following are the women with most centuries in Test cricket-
1. Janette Brittin (5 Centuries)
Former England batsman Jan Brittin holds the record for most test hundred scored in women’s test cricket. Brittin also holds the record for most test appearances in women’s international. In her illustrious 20-year career, she played 27 test matches and registered 1935 runs. She racked up 5 hundred and 11 half-centuries. Brittin is arguably the most decorated test player in women’s history.
2. Enid Bakewell (4 Centuries)
English all-rounder Enid Bakewell is second on the list for most hundred scored in women’s test. Bakewell played for England in the ’60s and is considered the best all-rounder England has produced. Bakewell played 12 test matches for England, scoring 4 hundred in that period. She is considered the best English all-rounder due to her incredible bowling and batting contributions. In her 12 year career, she scored 1078 runs and picked up a remarkable 50 wickets.
3. Sandhya Agarwal (4 Centuries)
Former Railways and Indian team captain Sandhya Agarwal ranks second on the list for most hundred scored in women’s test, tying with Enid Bakewell. Agarwal played 13 matches in her 12-year career. In the span of her career, she scored 1110 runs while thumping 4 centuries. After retirement, Agarwal was presented the role of chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association and the U-19 girl’s team. She also became a member of the BCCI’s women committee and in 2017 was offered lifetime membership in the MCC.
4. Claire Taylor (4 Centuries)
England batsman Claire Taylor sits on the second spot for most test hundreds scored in women’s test cricket. Taylor joined the England side as a wicket-keeper with some degree of batting ability. But later on in her career, Taylor became a key performer for the English side. In her 11-year stint as a cricketer, she played 15 test matches and scored 1030 runs with 4 centuries and 2 fifties. Taylor was the first female to be awarded a Wisden Cricketer of the Year. Along with her teammate Charlotte Edwards.
5. Debbie Hockley (4 Centuries)
Debbie Hockley is the cricketer with the second most hundreds in women’s test history. Debbie Hockley is the Former White Ferns captain who had recorded 4 centuries in her tenure as skipper. She achieved this in 19 matches and scoring 1301 runs with 7 half-centuries. Hockley was known for being a prolific ODI player but she was also a very talented test match player. In 2013 she was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, being only the fourth woman to achieve this feat.
Stats as on 26th June 2020
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