Top 6 batsmen fastest to score 1000 runs in test cricket

Among Asian batters, Kamindu Mendis is the fastest to score 1000 runs in test cricket.

The first ever test cricket match was played in 1877 and so far over 2500 tests have been played. The advancement in batting in this period, especially in the 21st century, has been phenomenal to observe.

White-ball cricket has certainly influenced the mindset and shot-making of the batters. It has made them more fearless and encouraged them to play attacking cricket.

However, and very interestingly, there are a few records that were made by the batters in the 1900s that are still intact and even the modern-day batters have not been able to break them. One of them is the record of being the fastest to score 1000 runs in tests, in terms of innings taken.

In this article, we will discuss the top six batters who reached the 1000 runs the quickest.

Top six batsmen fastest to score 1000 runs in test cricket:

6. Vinod Kambli – 14 innings

It was shocking to see Vinod Kambli’s career peter out on a dull note after the kind of start he had. The left-hander racked up his first 1000 runs in test cricket in only 14 innings. This included two double centuries and two centuries.

However, his form fell off suddenly and he also had a few off-field issues. This meant that he played only 21 innings in his career but Kamble ended with an average of 54.

5. Neil Harvey – 14 innings

Australia’s Neil Harvey also took 14 innings to amass 1000 test runs at the start of his career. He hit six centuries in his first 14 knocks.

Harvey, who played test cricket between 1948 and 1963, featured in 79 tests and finished with an average of 48.21, with 21 centuries.

4. Kamindu Mendis – 13 innings

Among Asian batters, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis is the fastest to score 1000 runs in test cricket. Kamindu is the first player in the history of test cricket to make a fifty-plus knock in each of his first eight test matches.

He reached 1000 test runs in only 13 outings, with the help of five centuries and four fifties. After 13 innings, Kamindu averages 91.27!

3. Don Bradman – 13 innings

Sir Donald Bradman’s name is expected on this list. The former Australia captain had a bright start to his test career as he had registered a triple century, a double century, and three centuries in his first 13 innings to become the fastest Australian batsman to score 1000 runs in tests.

Bradman, as many would know, finished his test career with an unbelievable average of 99.94. He played 52 tests between 1928 and 1948.

2. Everton Weekes – 12 innings

Former West Indies batsman Everton Weekes is the joint-fastest to score 1000 runs in the longest format. He needed only 12 test innings to amass his first 1000 runs.

Weekes featured in 48 tests between 1948 and 1958. He scored 4455 runs at an average of 58 with 15 centuries.

1. Herbert Sutcliffe – 12 innings

England’s Herbert Sutcliffe is also the joint-fastest to score 1000 runs in test cricket, a record that he achieved with the help of five centuries in his first 12 knocks.

Overall, Sutcliffe played 54 tests from 1924 to 1935, scoring 4555 runs at an average of 60. He notched up 16 test hundreds in his career.

(All stats updated till 27 September, 2024.)

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