On March 25, during the last day of the second Test match against New Zealand at Wellington, England's middle order batsman, Andrew Flintoff smashed the joint-sixth fastest fifty ever in terms of balls.

Ian Botham's fifty off 26 balls against India at Delhi still remains the fastest ever in terms of balls, followed by Kapil Dev, Hansie Cronje, Viv Richards and again Botham. Interestingly, of the top eleven entries – two are now tied at fourth place and six for the sixth place. Just for record, England's John Brown holds the record of fastest fifty in terms of time. Brown reached his fifty in just 28 minutes during his 140-run knock against Australia at Melbourne in 1984-95.

Flintoff's fifty off 33 balls is also the joint-third fastest by an Englishman after Ian Botham's two, 26 and 32 and Allan Lamb's 33 ball knocks. Flintoff equalled Lamb's record of fastest fifty on New Zealand soil. Lamb reached his fifty off 33 balls against New Zealand at Auckland in 1991-92 series.

Fastest fifties in Test cricket (= 34 balls) (12)
Balls Score Batsman         For  Vs   Venue      Season
26    60    IT Botham       Eng  Ind  Delhi      1981-82
30    73    Kapil Dev       Ind  Pak  Karachi    1982-83
31    82    Hansie Cronje   SA   SL   Pretoria   1997-98
32    61    IVA Richards    WI   Ind  Kingston   1982-83
32    59    Ian Botham      Eng  NZ   The Oval   1986
33   169    Roy Fredericks  WI   Aus  Perth      1975-76
33    59    Kapil Dev       Ind  Pak  Karachi    1978-79
33    65    Kapil Dev       Ind  Eng  Manchester 1982
33    57*   Mudassar Nazar  Pak  SL   Karachi    1985-86
33    60    Allan Lamb      Eng  NZ   Auckland   1991-92
33    75    Andrew Flintoff Eng  NZ   Wellington 2001-02
34    61    Ian Smith       NZ   Pak  Faisalabad 1990-91

Flintoff's was the only innings to hasten a declaration. While some of the others came at a time when runs were desperately needed. Such as Kapil Dev's 30-ball half-century against Pakistan at Karachi in December 1982 came at a time when India was tottering at 70 for five.

Cronje, third on the list with 31 balls, came in with South Africa 99 for three in their second innings against Sri Lanka at Centurion, needing 226 to secure the two-match series. He launched a savage attack on the Sri Lankan bowlers and by the time he got out for 82 from 63 balls, only 11 runs were needed for victory.

Viv Richards' match winning knock of 61 against India at Sabina Park in February 1983 is also a memorable one. West Indies required 172 from 26 overs to win the first Test but the injured Richards took his team near to a stunning victory with a 32 ball fifty.

- All data updated to 28.03.2002.

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