The rare achievement of reaching a maiden Test century with a six represents cricket’s most dramatic milestone moment. Five West Indies batters have accomplished this spectacular feat, spanning nearly five decades from 1976 to 2025, each innings showcasing the Caribbean spirit of fearless batting that has defined West Indies cricket.
Top 5 West Indies batters to reach their maiden Test hundred with a six
1. John Campbell (2025)
John Campbell etched his name into cricket history on October 13, 2025, during the second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The left-handed opener reached his maiden Test century in his 48th innings with a thunderous six off Ravindra Jadeja over deep mid-wicket in the 58th over of West Indies’ second innings. Campbell’s innings of 100 not out came off 174 balls and included three sixes and nine boundaries, marking a career-defining moment after seven years in international cricket.
The achievement was particularly remarkable as it came while following on after West Indies were bowled out for 248 in their first innings, trailing India’s 518-5 declared by 270 runs. Campbell’s century made him the first West Indies opener to score a Test hundred in India since Wavell Hinds in 2002. His partnership with Shai Hope yielded 138 runs for the third wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket by West Indies in Tests during 2025. Campbell’s journey to this maiden century took 48 innings, making him the second-slowest opener to reach his first Test hundred behind only Trevor Goddard‘s 58 innings.
2. Robert Samuels (1996)
Robert Samuels achieved his maiden Test century against New Zealand in spectacular fashion during the second Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground in April 1996. The opening batter reached his hundred with a towering six down the ground off left-arm spinner Dipak Patel, completing an innings of 125 that showcased his attacking instincts. This century came in only his second Test match, demonstrating remarkable composure for a player still establishing himself at the international level.
Samuels’ innings was built on aggressive strokeplay, with the six to reach his century serving as the perfect culmination of a confident display. His 125 helped establish a strong foundation for West Indies in that match, though specific ball-by-ball details of his century remain limited in available records. The achievement marked Samuels as a promising talent in West Indies cricket, though his international career would be relatively brief despite this early success.
3. Ridley Jacobs (2001)
Ridley Jacobs created history on April 1, 2001, at Kensington Oval, Barbados, becoming the first West Indian to score a Test century against South Africa. The wicketkeeper-batter reached his maiden Test hundred with a dramatic top-edge six off Makhaya Ntini over fine-leg, a somewhat streaky but celebrated method to achieve the milestone. His innings of 118 required just 161 balls and included ten fours and four sixes, with two sixes each coming off Nicky Boje and Makhaya Ntini.
Jacobs’ century was particularly significant as it led West Indies’ fightback in the third Test, with his aggressive approach inspiring the team to post 387 in their first innings. The left-handed batter had been stranded in the nineties twice previously, including just two weeks earlier in Trinidad, making this breakthrough even more satisfying. His celebration was immediate and emotional, with Cameron Cuffy giving him a bear hug before he could even raise his bat to acknowledge the Kensington Oval crowd. The innings showcased Jacobs’ ability to combine solid wicketkeeping with aggressive batting, establishing him as a crucial component of the West Indies team.
4. Shane Dowrich (2017)
Shane Dowrich reached his maiden Test century during the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, in October 2017. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 103 from 232 balls, though specific details about the final shot being a six are not definitively confirmed in available records. What made Dowrich’s achievement remarkable was the context – he shared a record-breaking 212-run partnership with captain Jason Holder for the eighth wicket, the highest eighth-wicket partnership in West Indies Test history.
Dowrich’s innings was characterized by patient accumulation mixed with aggressive strokeplay when opportunities arose. His century came after West Indies had been struggling at 230 for seven, still 96 runs behind Zimbabwe’s first-innings total. The partnership with Holder transformed the match, taking West Indies from a precarious position to a commanding first-innings lead of 122 runs. This achievement marked a breakthrough for Dowrich, who had previously struggled for consistency in his international career, proving his capability as both wicketkeeper and batsman at the highest level.
5. Collis King (1976)
Collis King established the template for this rare achievement during his Test debut against New Zealand in Auckland in 1976. The powerful middle-order batsman scored an unbeaten 100 in his maiden Test innings, becoming the first West Indian to reach a Test century with a six. King’s century came during his first Test appearance, making it a debut hundred achieved in the most spectacular fashion possible.
King’s innings demonstrated the fearless approach that would later make him famous, particularly his explosive 86 from 66 balls in the 1979 World Cup Final against England. His Test career was brief, spanning only nine matches between 1976 and 1980, but his maiden century remained a standout achievement. The unbeaten nature of his century suggested complete control and dominance, establishing King as a player capable of changing match situations through pure aggressive batting. His achievement set the precedent for future West Indies batters to celebrate milestone moments with maximum impact, embodying the Caribbean cricket philosophy of entertainment combined with excellence.
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