Follow UsMay 23, 2025, is proving to be a historic day already as records continue to tumble. Moments ago in Ireland, West Indies’ Matthew Forde smashed the joint-fastest fifty in ODI history.
A few hundred miles away in Nottingham, 21-year-old Brian Bennett scripted history too as he smashed the fastest ever century by a Zimbabwean in Test history. Bennett got to the landmark in 97 balls as he brought up his second century in Test cricket.
97 balls - Brian Bennett vs ENG, 2025
106 balls - Sean Williams vs NZ, 2016
115 balls - Sean Williams vs AFG, 2024
But this is a ton that’s historic in more ways than one. Bennett is the youngest opener in 15 years to score a century in England, and the third-youngest opener in Test history to score a century in English conditions. The only other two to have got to three figures at a younger age? Len Hutton and Tamim Iqbal.
Youngest openers to score a century in England
21 years 31 days - Len Hutton vs NZ
21 years 68 days - Tamim Iqbal vs ENG
21 years 76 days - Tamim Iqbal vs ENG
21 years 194 days - Brian Bennett vs ENG
Before today, Bennett was already the second-youngest player to score a Test century for Zimbabwe (after Hamilton Masakadza). Today, he became the youngest to score a Test ton away from home for Zimbabwe and the youngest ever Zimbabwean to notch up multiple tons in the longest format.
Earlier this year, in February, Bennett became the fourth-youngest in history to post a 150+ score in ODI cricket.