Scoring a century in ODI cricket is usually about timing, intent, and strike rate. But history also shows that not every hundred is fast and aggressive. In some matches, the situation forced batters to slow down completely either to save the game, survive difficult conditions, or play a rescue role.
Here is a detailed look at the top 10 slowest centuries in One Day Internationals, measured by the most balls taken to reach 100 runs.
Slowest ODI Centuries (Most Balls to Reach 100)
| Rank | Player | Balls to 100 | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Boon | 166 | India | Hobart | 1991 |
| 2 | Ramiz Raja | 157 | West Indies | Melbourne | 1992 |
| 3 | Geoff Marsh | 156 | England | Lord’s | 1989 |
| 4 | Ramiz Raja | 152 | Sri Lanka | Adelaide | 1990 |
| 5 | Scott Styris | 152 | Sri Lanka | St George’s | 2007 |
| 6 | Tom Cooper | 151 | Afghanistan | Voorburg | 2010 |
| 7 | Geoff Marsh | 150 | West Indies | Georgetown | 1991 |
| 8 | David Hemp | 150 | Kenya | Potchefstroom | 2009 |
| 9 | Shai Hope | 149 | India | Chennai | 2019 |
| 10 | David Boon | 146 | West Indies | Melbourne | 1992 |
David Boon – 166 balls vs India (1991)
This remains the slowest ODI century of all time. Chasing a modest target, Australia struggled on a difficult pitch in Hobart. Boon played with extreme caution, turning the match into a near Test-match scenario.
Ramiz Raja – 157 balls vs West Indies (1992)
Ramiz played a defensive knock in Melbourne when Pakistan needed stability. His focus was survival rather than strike rate, and the innings helped Pakistan avoid collapse.
Geoff Marsh – 156 balls vs England (1989)
At Lord’s, Marsh played a traditional innings, valuing his wicket above everything else. Australia eventually won, but the tempo remained extremely slow throughout.
Also see: Top 10 Fastest to 50 Wickets in ODIs
Ramiz Raja – 152 balls vs Sri Lanka (1990)
This was Ramiz Raja’s second appearance on the slow-century list. The pitch in Adelaide offered little help to batters, and Pakistan chose a cautious route to victory.
Scott Styris – 152 balls vs Sri Lanka (2007 World Cup)
In a pressure World Cup match, Styris anchored New Zealand’s innings. The slow hundred was strategic, ensuring New Zealand crossed the line safely.
Tom Cooper – 151 balls vs Afghanistan (2010)
Representing the Netherlands, Cooper played a patient knock on a tricky surface. While slow, the innings proved decisive in securing a rare ODI win.
Also see: Top 5 Slowest T20 Innings by Indian Batters
Geoff Marsh – 150 balls vs West Indies (1991)
Marsh appears twice on this list. Against a strong West Indies attack, Australia needed stability, and Marsh once again chose survival over speed.
David Hemp – 150 balls vs Kenya (2009)
Playing for Bermuda, Hemp’s slow century helped his team stay competitive. Limited support from the other end forced him to bat deep.
Shai Hope – 149 balls vs India (2019)
On a turning Chennai pitch, Hope batted through difficult conditions. His century was slow but technically solid, helping West Indies remain in the contest.
David Boon – 146 balls vs West Indies (1992)
Boon makes the list twice, underlining his reputation as a defensive batter. This knock again showed his willingness to sacrifice tempo for stability.
