Following cricket’s return with West Indies’ tour of England amid the global pandemic, fans of the sport now have more reasons to get excited. Cricket’s shortest format, the T20s are set to make its return in August with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) slated to begin from Tuesday, August 18. With that in mind, here we take a trip down memory lane and have a look at the fastest centuries in the CPL.
Andre Russell vs Trinbago Knight Riders on 10 August 2018
One of Andre Russell’s most memorable T20 matches in any league, the powerful all-rounder shined with both bat and ball during this game. Russell was at his belligerent and match-winning best, scoring a 40-ball century as Jamaica Tallawahs successfully chased a target of 224. They eventually won the match with three balls and four wickets to spare, thanks to Russell, who remained 121 not out, smashing six boundaries and 13 sixes in his innings. When you add the fact that he also picked up a hat-trick within the final over of the first innings, it’s easy to recognise why Russell is known as one of the most dangerous and versatile all-rounders in the shortest form of cricket.
Andre Russell vs Trinbago Knight Riders on 5 August 2016
Another Russell masterclass two years prior to his century and hat-trick match came against the same opponents in Trinbago Knight Riders. After walking into the middle with the scoreboard reading four for 67, the powerful all-rounder went on to play with his natural approach and started hitting the Trinbago Knight Riders to all corners of the park. He completely changed the momentum of the contest by hitting a 42-ball century that featured three fours and 11 sixes. In the end, it was his innings that proved to be the difference as the Trinbago Knight Riders came up on the wrong end of a 19-run loss by the D/L method.
Shimron Hetmyer vs Jamaica Tallawahs on 18 August 2018
After making his way to the crease in the second over, Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Shimron Hetmyer offered the wider cricketing world beyond the West Indies a glimpse of his talent. The powerful left-hander took control of the innings with smart strokeplay and clever placement to score at a brisk pace. He, along with skipper Shoaib Malik, put on a 108-run stand for the third wicket, with Hetmyer playing the role of the aggressor. The elegant southpaw brought up his hundred in just 47 balls and it included 11 fours and five sixes. He helped Guyana post 209 and was declared Man of the Match following a 71-run win.
Chris Gayle vs Trinbago Knight Riders on 4 July 2016
Not many lists for fastest hundreds can be completed without a mention of Chris Gayle and unsurprisingly this one is no different. The West Indian legend was on song as the Jamaica Tallawahs chased down a target of 192 quite comfortably, with Gayle playing a starring role in the win. He remained unbeaten on 108 and brought up his century from just 49 deliveries. The self-proclaimed Universe Boss hit six fours and 11 sixes during his knock and deservedly took home the Man of the Match award.
Marlon Samuels vs Guyana Amazon Warriors on 7 August 2014
The only knock on this list that came in a losing effort, Marlon Samuels’ 50-ball hundred was a record at the time. With their backs against the wall chasing a target of 213, three wickets inside the powerplay made things even more challenging. Samuels, to his credit, wasn’t prepared to give up the ghost and looked set to take the game down to the wire. However, the target proved to be beyond his reach even though his 50-ball hundred narrowed the margin of defeat. He remained unbeaten on 106 and hit 10 fours as well as eight sixes at a strike rate of more than 200.
Feature image courtesy: Facebook / @windiescricket
