Test cricket is not usually known for fast scoring. But many players have learned how to master this format and have scored a lot of runs very quickly, even early in their careers. In this article, we will look at the top 5 fastest batters who reached 1000 runs in Test cricket.
Top 5 Fastest to 1000 Runs in Test Cricket
England’s Herbert Sutcliffe holds the record for being the fastest to reach 1000 runs in Test cricket. Herbert Sutcliffe made history in February 1925 when he became the quickest player to achieve 1000 runs in Test matches. The former right-handed batter reached this amazing milestone in only 12 innings, making his mark in the longest format of the game.
Herbert Sutcliffe (England) – 12 Innings
Herbert Sutcliffe, England’s former Test opener, reached 1000 Test runs in just 12 innings and only 244 days. Herbert played his first Test match against South Africa at Edgbaston in June 1924. By February 1925, he had already reached 1000 runs, hitting this milestone against Australia in Melbourne with a score of 143 runs.
Herbert was famous for his patience, focus, and excellent technique. He played 54 Test matches for England, scoring a total of 4555 runs, with an average of 59.9. He also hit 16 centuries and 23 half-centuries in his career.
Everton Weekes (West Indies) – 12 Innings
Everton Weekes, a strong batter from the West Indies, needed only 12 innings and 1 year and 14 days to score 1000 runs in Test cricket.
Weekes played 48 Test matches for the West Indies, where he scored a total of 4455 runs with an average of 58. He also hit 2 double hundreds, 15 hundreds, and 19 half-centuries during his career.
Don Bradman (Australia) – 13 Innings
Don Bradman, a legendary Australian cricketer and one of the best Test batters ever, needed only 13 innings to reach 1000 Test runs.
Bradman scored his 1000th run against England in Leeds in 1930, during an innings where he made 334 runs. This score is also his highest in Test cricket.
He made his Test debut in 1928 and retired in 1948. Over these 20 years, Bradman played 52 Tests for Australia, scoring 6996 runs with an average of 99.94. He also hit 29 hundreds in his career.
Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 13 Innings
Sri Lanka’s new cricket star, Kamindu Mendis, made history in Galle by scoring 1000 runs in just 13 Test innings. He reached this milestone during the second Test match against New Zealand on September 27, 2024.
Mendis showed his amazing skills from the start of his career by scoring many hundreds and fifties. When he crossed 1000 runs, he became the fastest Asian batter to reach this record.
Neil Harvey (Australia) – 14 Innings
Neil Harvey, an Australian cricket player, scored 153 runs against India in his second Test match in 1948. By 1950, he had completed 1000 Test runs in just 14 innings.
In his career, Harvey played 79 Test matches for Australia and scored 6149 runs with an average of 48. He hit 2 double centuries, 21 centuries, and 24 half-centuries.
Harvey was a left-handed batter with excellent technique, which helped him succeed in Test cricket. His shots were smooth and stylish, making him a joy to watch.
