Scoring a century is the definitive benchmark of excellence in Test cricket. It requires a rare combination of technical skill, mental stamina, and unwavering concentration. To produce a hundred in both innings of the same Test match a “twin century” is to enter an elite pantheon of batting greatness. It signifies a player in complete command of their craft.
The first batsman to reach this milestone was Australia’s Warren Bardsley, who registered scores of 136 and 130 against England in 1909. Since that pioneering performance, it has remained one of the rarest batting achievements.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the players who have made a habit of this incredible display of consistency, particularly those who have done it more than once.
Which Players Hold the Record for Most Twin Centuries?
The record for the most twin centuries in a Test career is jointly held by three titans of the modern era. Each man registered this performance on three separate occasions.
1. Sunil Gavaskar (India)
The iconic Indian opener, Sunil Gavaskar, was a master of technique and temperament. His three twin-century performances came against two of the most formidable bowling attacks of his time, cementing his legacy as a batsman who thrived under pressure.
- 124 & 220 vs West Indies, Port of Spain (1971)
- 111 & 137 vs Pakistan, Karachi (1978)
- 107 & 182* vs West Indies, Kolkata (1978)
Test Stats: Highest Individual Scores by Captain
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
One of cricket’s most commanding batsmen, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recorded his three twin centuries during a period of immense personal form, with all three coming within a span of just 13 months.
- 149 & 104* vs West Indies, Brisbane (2005)
- 120 & 143* vs South Africa, Sydney (2006)
- 103 & 116 vs South Africa, Durban (2006)
3. David Warner (Australia)
The hard-hitting Australian opener David Warner matched the record with his own incredible run, where he compiled three twin tons against top-tier opposition in just over a year, demonstrating his peak run-scoring ability.
- 135 & 145 vs South Africa, Cape Town (2014)
- 145 & 102 vs India, Adelaide (2014)
- 163 & 116 vs New Zealand, Brisbane (2015)
List: Players with Two Twin Centuries
While the top three stand apart, a dozen other legendary batsmen have completed the difficult task of scoring twin centuries twice in their careers. This prestigious list includes some of the finest names to ever grace the game:
- George Headley (WI)
- Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG)
- Clyde Walcott (WI)
- Greg Chappell (AUS)
- Allan Border (AUS)
- Aravinda de Silva (SL)
- Rahul Dravid (IND)
- Matthew Hayden (AUS)
- Jacques Kallis (SA)
- Kumar Sangakkara (SL)
- Brendan Taylor (ZIM)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (BAN)
Records Associated with Twin Centuries
The milestone of scoring a hundred in each innings is linked with several other significant records in Test history.
A Dream Debut
Only two players have started their Test careers by scoring a century in both innings of their debut match:
- Lawrence Rowe (West Indies): 214 & 100* vs New Zealand, 1972
- Yasir Hameed (Pakistan): 170 & 105 vs Bangladesh, 2003
Highest Match Run Aggregate
England’s Graham Gooch holds the all-time record for the most runs scored by a batsman in a single Test match. In his monumental performance against India at Lord’s in 1990, he scored 333 and 123, for a total of 456 runs.
The Unbeaten Batsman
Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva claims a unique record. In 1997 against Pakistan, he scored 138* and 103*, making him the only batsman to score twin centuries while remaining not out in both innings.
The 150+ Club
To score 150 in both innings of the same Test is an act of incredible stamina and skill. Only two batsmen have managed this:
- Allan Border (Australia): 150* & 153 vs Pakistan, 1980
- Shubman Gill (India): 269 & 161 vs England, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was the first batsman to score a century in both innings of a Test?
The first batsman to score twin centuries was Warren Bardsley of Australia, who made scores of 136 and 130 against England at The Oval in 1909.
Who holds the record for the most twin centuries in Test cricket?
The record for the most twin centuries is jointly held by three players: Sunil Gavaskar (India), Ricky Ponting (Australia), and David Warner (Australia). Each has registered the performance three times.
