Roy Fredericks — 169 in 145 Balls, Perth 1975

The 1975-76 series was the first major touring assignment for West Indies after the 1975 World Cup victory. They were widely regarded as a side of glittering individual talent but uncertain temperament. The Brisbane Test had ended in a 308-run defeat. Fredericks had made 0 and 27.

Lillee and Thomson, four-day-rested for the Perth Test, were generally regarded as the fastest opening pair in the world. Their record at Perth was overwhelming.

The series stood at 1-0 to Australia after Brisbane. Lloyd, who would lose the series 5-1, was already under pressure. Fredericks's response, opening the second innings — having made 0 in the first — was to attack from ball one. He hooked Lillee's second delivery into the western stand for six, drove Thomson on the up through cover, and reached 50 from 33 balls. The first session produced 130 for the loss of one wicket; Fredericks was 81 not out at lunch.

He continued in the afternoon, reaching his hundred from 71 balls (the fastest by a West Indian in Tests at the time). He was finally caught Marsh bowled Gilmour for 169 from 145 balls; he had hit one six and 27 fours. West Indies declared at 585. Australia, with no answer to a half-fit Holding and an inspired Roberts, were bowled out for 169 and 329; West Indies won by an innings and 87 runs.

“It is the greatest innings I have seen in Australia. He has played strokes against bowling that nobody plays strokes against.”

The Perth result was the only West Indian win of the tour. They lost 5-1, with Lillee and Thomson taking 27 and 29 wickets respectively. The defeat triggered the broader rethink that would, in 1976 against England, produce the four-pace strategy.

Fredericks, an unflashy career batsman, was in no other innings comparable. His 169 stood as the iconic single innings of his career and is now identified by Wisden among the fastest fifty Test hundreds of the twentieth century.