Most Centuries in ICC World Test Championship Final

Scoring a century in an ICC World Test Championship Final is one of the toughest batting achievements in Test cricket. The first three WTC finals were played in England, where movement with the new ball, high-quality pace attacks and the pressure of a one-off championship match made big individual scores difficult to produce.

Across the 2021, 2023 and 2025 WTC finals, only three centuries have been scored. The inaugural India-New Zealand final in Southampton produced no hundred. Australia then had two centurions — Travis Head and Steve Smith — against India at The Oval in 2023, before Aiden Markram added the third with his match-winning 136 for South Africa against Australia at Lord's in 2025.

No batter has yet scored more than one century in WTC final history. Head, Smith and Markram therefore share the record with one hundred each, although their overall final records differ.

Most Centuries in ICC World Test Championship Final

All three players are level on one WTC final century. Smith ranks first among them on total WTC final runs, having scored 234 across the 2023 and 2025 finals. Head has 201, while Markram scored all 136 of his WTC final runs in the 2025 title match.

Every Century in WTC Final History

Travis Head – 163 vs India, 2023

Travis Head became the first player to score a century in a WTC final when he made 163 from 174 balls against India at The Oval in 2023. Australia were 76/3 when Head joined Steve Smith, but his counterattacking innings transformed the match. He struck 25 fours and one six and shared a 285-run fourth-wicket partnership with Smith as Australia reached 469.

Head's innings gave Australia control of the final, and he was later named Player of the Match after Australia won by 209 runs. His 163 remains the highest individual score in WTC final history.

Steve Smith – 121 vs India, 2023

Steve Smith scored 121 from 268 balls in the same Australian first innings at The Oval. While Head attacked, Smith played the stabilizing role and steadily built his innings before reaching another Test century.

The Head-Smith partnership took Australia from 76/3 to a dominant position and provided the foundation for their first-innings total of 469. Smith's 121 remains the second-highest Australian score in a WTC final and one of only three hundreds recorded across the first three championship matches.

Aiden Markram – 136 vs Australia, 2025

Aiden Markram produced one of the most important innings in South African cricket history when he scored 136 from 207 balls against Australia at Lord's in 2025. South Africa needed 282 in the fourth innings to become world champions, and Markram anchored the chase against an experienced Australian attack.

He shared a crucial partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, who made 66, and carried South Africa to the brink of victory. Markram was named Player of the Match as South Africa won the WTC title by five wickets. His hundred was also the first century by a South African in an ICC men's tournament final.

All Centuries in WTC Finals

Only three centuries were recorded across the first three WTC finals. Two came in Australia's first innings against India in 2023, while Markram supplied the only hundred in the 2025 final. The 2021 final between India and New Zealand had no century; Kane Williamson's unbeaten 52 was the highest individual score of the match.

Records and Highlights

Travis Head Scored the First WTC Final Century

Head became the first batter to reach three figures in a World Test Championship Final with his 163 against India in 2023.

He reached his hundred from 106 balls and continued to 163, helping Australia recover from 76/3 and take control of the match.

Head Holds the Highest Individual Score

The record for the highest score in a WTC final belongs to Travis Head with 163.

The complete century list is:

Head and Smith Scored Hundreds in the Same Innings

The 2023 final remains the only WTC final in which two players scored centuries in the same innings.

Head made 163 and Smith scored 121 as Australia posted 469. Their fourth-wicket partnership was worth 285 runs, changing the match after India had taken three early wickets.

Markram Scored the First Fourth-Innings WTC Final Century

Markram's 136 in 2025 was the first century scored in the fourth innings of a WTC final.

Its importance was even greater because South Africa were chasing 282 for the championship. His innings put the Proteas in position to complete a five-wicket victory over Australia.

Every WTC Final Centurion Has Won the Title

All three centuries have been scored by members of the winning team.

Head and Smith were part of Australia's title-winning side against India in 2023, while Markram led South Africa's successful chase against Australia in 2025. That means every century scored in WTC final history so far has directly contributed to a championship victory.

No Century Was Scored in the Inaugural Final

The first WTC final between India and New Zealand in Southampton produced no hundred.

Kane Williamson came closest among New Zealand's batters with scores of 49 and an unbeaten 52. New Zealand successfully chased 139 to become the inaugural World Test Champions.

Australia Have the Most WTC Final Centurions

Australia are the only team to have produced more than one centurion in WTC finals.

Both Head and Smith scored hundreds against India in 2023. South Africa have one through Markram, while India and New Zealand have yet to produce a WTC final century.

Smith Leads the Centurions in Overall Final Runs

Although all three players are tied with one century, Steve Smith has the most WTC final runs among them with 234.

Smith scored 121 and 34 against India in 2023 before adding 66 and 13 against South Africa in 2025. Head's combined total is 201, while Markram has 136.

FAQs

Who has scored the most centuries in WTC final history?

Travis Head, Steve Smith and Aiden Markram share the record with one century each. No batter has scored more than one hundred across the 2021, 2023 and 2025 WTC finals.

What is the highest score in a WTC final?

Travis Head's 163 against India in the 2023 final at The Oval is the highest individual score in WTC final history.

How many centuries have been scored in WTC finals?

A total of three centuries have been scored: Head's 163, Markram's 136 and Smith's 121.

Who scored the first century in a WTC final?

Travis Head scored the first WTC final century, making 163 against India at The Oval in 2023. His innings helped Australia win the championship by 209 runs.