We take a look at the fastest fifties in Test cricket after Ben Stokes powered his way to the quickest half-century of any England player against the West Indies at Edgbaston.
Balls faced | Match | Year | |
Misbah-ul-Haq | 21 | Pakistan v Australia | 2014 |
David Warner | 23 | Australia v Pakistan | 2017 |
Jacques Kallis | 24 | South Africa v Zimbabwe | 2005 |
Ben Stokes | 24 | England v West Indies | 2024 |
Shane Shillingford | 25 | West Indies v New Zealand | 2014 |
Shahid Afridi | 26 | Pakistan v India | 2005 |
Mohammad Ashraful | 26 | Bangladesh v India | 2007 |
Dale Steyn | 26 | South Africa v West Indies | 2014 |
Yousuf Youhana | 27 | Pakistan v South Africa | 2003 |
Ian Botham previously held the English record following his 28-ball fifty against India in 1981 but Stokes usurped him in emphatic fashion with a ruthless half-century from just 24 deliveries.
The England captain, who stepped in as an opener in place of the injured Zak Crawley, had chalked up 41 runs from 18 balls at one stage of his innings.
However, Stokes was unable to beat Misbah-ul-Haq's record, with the former Pakistan batsman still possessing the fastest half-century in Test history after reaching 50 in just 21 deliveries against Australia in 2014.
After his 28-ball half-century for West Indies against England in 1948, Foffie Williams held the record of quickest Test fifty for 55 years until Yousuf Youhana pummelled South Africa in Cape Town with 50 off 27 deliveries.