Test cricket is the oldest format of the game of cricket. The first-ever game was played in March 1877. Since then, it has remained the same and is the most difficult format of the game. It is not easy for a cricketer to survive in Test cricket for a long time in his career. But there are some legends who have made batting look very easy in red-ball cricket.
This article will list the players who are the fastest to score the 2000 runs in Test cricket. This list includes some of the biggest names that the game has ever produced. The list is dominated by some former legends of the game. So let’s check.
5. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 34 innings
Marnus Labuschagne is certainly the best red-ball batter in modern-day cricket. He is as consistent as the best. Labuschagne made his debut against Pakistan in Dubai on October 7, 2018. In this format, it took him a total of 34 innings to reach the 2000 runs. Labuschagne is now an important member of Australian team. So far, he has played 28 games and scored 2539 runs at an average of 54.02. He has also scored seven centuries and 13 half-centuries.
4. Micky Hussey (Australia) – 33 innings
Former Australian cricketer and known as “Mr. Cricket,” Michael Hussey is the joint-third fastest player on the list. Hussey made his red-ball debut in November 2005 against the West Indies at Brisbane. He became the backbone of the Australian team across formats. It took him 33 innings to reach 2,000 Test runs. At the time of his retirement, he had played 79 games and scored 6235 runs at an average of 51.52. He also scored 19 centuries and 29 fifties.
3. Herbert Sutcliffe (England) – 33 innings
Next on the list is former English cricketer Herbert Sutcliffe, who is the joint-third fastest overall. Sutcliffe ended his career as one of the best English test batters, and he was one of the few with an average over 60 in red-ball cricket. Sutcliffe made his test debut in June 1974 against South Africa and played for nine years. He completed 2000 Test runs in his 33rd inning. Overall, he scored 4555 runs in 54 test at an average of 60.73, with 16 centuries and 23 fifties.
2. George Headley (West Indies) – 32 innings
Next on the list is former West Indies batter George Headley. The former cricketer represented the West Indies for 24 years. But he didn’t play much cricket in his time. Headley made his debut in January 1930 against England and played his last game in January 1954 against England. But in this duration, he played only 22 games and scored 2190 runs at an average of 60.83 with 10 centuries and five half-centuries. He completed 2000 test runs in 32 innings.
1. Don Bradman (Australia) – 22 innings
If you talk about cricket, one name definitely comes to mind: the best batter of all time, Don Bradman. The Australian legend ended his career as the best test batsman ever that the game has seen. His records are impossible to break. Bradman made his debut in November 1928 against England and played for 20 years. He scored 2,000 runs in just 22 innings. Overall, he made 6996 runs in 52 games at a staggering average of 99.94, with 29 centuries and 13 half-centuries.
List of Fastest 2000 Runs in Test
| Player | Against | Date | Debut | Time | Mts | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Bradman (AUS) | South Africa | 27 Nov 1931 | 30 Nov 1928 | 2y 362d | 15 | 22 |
| George Headley (WI) | England | 24 Jun 1939 | 11 Jan 1930 | 9y 164d | 17 | 32 |
| Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG) | West Indies | 21 Jul 1928 | 14 Jun 1924 | 4y 37d | 22 | 33 |
| Micky Hussey (AUS) | India | 2 Jan 2008 | 3 Nov 2005 | 2y 60d | 20 | 33 |
| Marnus Labuschagne (AUS) | England | 16 Dec 2021 | 7 Oct 2018 | 3y 70d | 20 | 34 |
| Doug Walters (AUS) | South Africa | 22 Jan 1970 | 10 Dec 1965 | 4y 43d | 22 | 35 |
| Brain Lara (WI) | Australia | 31 Mar 1995 | 6 Dec 1990 | 4y 115d | 22 | 35 |
| Arthur Morris (AUS) | South Africa | 2 Feb 1951 | 29 Nov 1946 | 4y 65d | 23 | 36 |
| Everton Weekes (WI) | India | 19 Feb 1953 | 21 Jan 1948 | 5y 29d | 23 | 36 |
| Frank Worrell (WI) | South Africa | 17 Mar 1954 | 11 Feb 1948 | 6y 34d | 22 | 36 |