Top 7 batsmen fastest to score 12000 runs in test cricket

Only seven batsmen have scored 12000 or more runs in test cricket so far.

Recording a century in test cricket is one of the most aspired dreams for any batsman, as it requires high levels of concentration for a long period of time while facing the red ball that swings, seams and spins more than the white ball does in limited-overs cricket.

However, with white-ball cricket offering more financial security, even talented batters of many nations have moved away from test cricket. This means, unlike the game of yesteryears, a few records might become rarer to achieve.

One such record is reaching the milestone of 12,000 runs in test cricket. So far, only seven batters have achieved this feat with India’s Sachin Tendulkar being the first to do and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara being the fastest to reach the milestone.

Keeping this in mind, here is the list of batters who have achieved the milestone of 12,000 test runs, arranged according to the number of innings they took to do so.

Here is the list of batsmen fastest to score 12000 runs in test cricket:

7. Alastair Cook (England) – 275 innings

Former England captain and one of the greatest test openers, Sir Alastair Cook was the second-last batter to achieve the milestone of 12,000 runs in test cricket. Cook made his debut in 2006 against India and scored a century in his maiden innings.

He went on to have an excellent career opening the innings for England and later succeeded Sir Andrew Strauss as England’s captain in tests. He led England in a total of 59 tests and won 24 out of those. Cook reached the milestone of 12,000 test runs against Australia in 2018 in Sydney. He took 275 innings, the slowest so far to 12000 runs.  

The left-hander retired from the game the same year, scoring a century in his last test against India.

6. Joe Root (England) – 261 innings

Former England captain Joe Root is the latest entrant to the 12,000-run club. The stylish right-hander crossed this landmark during the Edgbaston test against West Indies in 2024. He did it in his 261st innings. Root has notched up 32 centuries and 63 fifties so far in his test career.

5. Rahul Dravid (India) – 255 innings

Legendary India batter Rahul Dravid is in fifth spot on the list of batters fastest to score 12000 runs in test cricket. Dravid, who made his test debut for India in 1996 against England, reached the milestone against South Africa in Centurion in his 255th innings.

Dravid, also called ‘The Wall,’ was the backbone of Indian batting for more than a decade. He played his final Test in 2012 against Australia in Adelaide and retired with 13288 runs in 164 tests with 36 centuries at an average of 52.31 and a highest score of 270.

4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 249 innings

One of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, Jacques Kallis is fourth on the list of batters fastest to score 12000 runs in the longest form of the game. Kallis, who made his test debut in 1995 against England reached the milestone in his 249th innings. He achieved the feat against Australia in 2011 in Johannesburg.

Overall, Kallis played 166 tests and scored 13289 runs with 45 centuries at an average of 55.37. His highest score was 224. Kallis also starred with the ball, taking 292 test wickets at an average of 32.65 and recording best bowling figures of 6/54.

3. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 247 innings

Ricky Ponting, who is considered one of the best batters of all time, made his test debut against Sri Lanka in 1995. It took him a total of 247 innings to reach the 12000-run mark in tests; Ponting achieved the landmark in 2010 against Pakistan in Leeds.

Overall, Ricky Ponting played 168 tests and scored 13778 runs with 41 centuries and the best score of 257. He averaged 51.85 in his career. He was the first and only batter to score twin centuries in his career’s 100th Test, a feat he achieved against South Africa in Sydney in 2006. Ponting retired from tests in 2012.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 247 innings

The all-time leading run-getter in international cricket and tests, Sachin Tendulkar was the first batter to reach the 12,000-run mark in tests. He achieved the feat in 2008 against Australia in Mohali in his 247th innings. Tendulkar is also the first batter to 13,000, 14,000, and 15,000 test runs.

Notably, Tendulkar made his test debut at the age of 16 in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi and played his final test in 2013 against West Indies in Mumbai. In 200 tests, Tendulkar scored 15921 runs with a record 51 centuries and best score of 248*. He averaged 53.78 in his test career.

1. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 224 innings

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara is the fastest to score 12000 runs in test cricket, having reached the figure in just 224 innings. Having made his Test debut in 2000 against South Africa at Galle, Sangakkara achieved the feat of 12,000 test runs in 2015 in Wellington against New Zealand.

Considered one of the finest batters in international cricket, Sangakkara played 134 tests, scoring 12400 runs with 38 centuries to his name and best score of 319. He averaged 57.40 and played his final test in 2015 against India. Sangakkara remains only the second batter after Graham Gooch to score a triple ton and a ton in the same test, a feat he achieved against Bangladesh.

(All stats updated till 27th July, 2024)

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