Fastest 2000 Runs in Test Cricket

In this article, we are going to take a look at 10 batsmen who were the fastest to reach 2000 runs in Test cricket, including the number of innings and matches they needed to achieve the feat. We have resolved any tie in the number of innings or matches by considering the time taken since their Test debut to reach the milestone.

1. Don Bradman (Australia)

Bradman, who made his Test debut on 30 November 1928, reached 2000 Test runs on 27 November 1931 in only his 22nd innings and in his 15^th match. That innings came in the first Test of a series in Brisbane during the South Africa tour of Australia. Australia batted first. Batting at number three, the Don made 226 and shared a partnership of 163 for the 2nd wicket with Bill Woodfull. He was 7th out at 380 in an Australia score of 450. In reply, the tourists were bowled out for 170. Following on, they could make only 117 runs to hand the hosts an innings win.

2. George Headley (West Indies)

Headley played his first Test on 11 January 1930. He got his 2000th run during his 32nd innings, in his 17^th match played on 24 June 1939 at Lord’s against England, the first Test of a series on the West Indies tour of England. The tourists batted first. Batting at number three, Headley made 106 in a West Indies score of 277. After England had replied with 404/5 declared, the West Indies were bowled out for 225 in their 2nd knock. Headley made 107, his 2nd ton of the game, during which he reached 2000 runs in Tests. Despite Headley’s heroics, England won by 8 wickets.

3. Herbert Sutcliffe (England)

Sutcliffe began his Test career on 14 June 1924. His 2000th run came on 21 July 1928 during his 33rd innings in his 22^nd match in Manchester against the West Indies, which was the second match of a series on the West Indies tour of England. The West Indies batted first and were bowled out for 206. Opening the innings, Sutcliffe scored 54 to help England reply with 351 before they bowled out the tourists for 115 in their second knock to register an innings victory.

4. Mike Hussey (Australia)

Hussey played his first Test on 3 November 2005 and accomplished his 2000th run on 2 January 2008 during his 33rd innings of his 20th match held in Sydney, the second match of a series against the touring Indians. Australia batted first and were bowled out for 463. In reply, India scored 532. In their second knock, Australia rode on Hussey’s unbeaten knock of 145 to score 401/7 declared before bowling out India for 210 to complete an innings victory.

5. Doug Walters (Australia)

Walters, who debuted on 10 December 1965, achieved his 2000th run on 22 January 1970, during his 35th innings and in his 22nd Test played in Cape Town in the second match of a series on Australia’s tour of South Africa. The hosts batted first and scored 382 before bowling out Australia for 164 runs to which Walters contributed 73, batting at number four. After South Africa made 232 in their second knock, Australia could make only 280 in their 2nd innings, granting South Africa the win by 170 runs.

6. Brian Lara (West Indies)

Lara played his first Test match on 6 December 1990 and made his 2000th run on 31 March 1995 during his 35th innings in his 22nd match in Bridgetown, the second match of a series on Australia’s tour of the West Indies. The hosts batted first and were bowled out for 195 runs to which Lara contributed 65, batting at number three. In reply, Australia made 346 before bowling out the West Indies for 189 in their second knock and paving the way for a 10-wicket win.

7. Arthur Morris (Australia)

Morris, who began his Test career on 29 November 1946, scored his 2000th run on 2 February 1951 during his 36th innings in his 23rd Test played in Adelaide, which was the 4th match of a series on England’s tour of Australia. The hosts batted first and scored 371 runs with opening batsman Morris’s contribution being 206. In reply, England made 272. Set to score 274 for a win, England were bowled out for 228 in their second innings, allowing Australia to record a 274-run victory.

8. Everton Weekes (West Indies)

Weekes, who played his first match on 21 January 1948, got to 2000 Test runs on 19 February 1953 during his 36th innings in his 23rd Test in Port of Spain, the 3rd match of a series on India’s tour of the West Indies. The visitors batted first and scored 279 runs. The West Indies, in reply, scored 315, riding on Weekes’s innings of 161 scored while batting at number four. The match ended in a draw, with the West Indies score stuck on 192/2 in a run chase of 327 to win.

9. Frank Worrell (West Indies)

Worrell, who played his debut Test on 11 February 1948, achieved his 2000th Test run on 17 March 1954 during his 36th innings in his 22nd Test in Port of Spain, the 3rd match of a series on England’s tour of the West Indies. In a high-scoring game, the West Indies batted first and scored 681/8 declared to which Worrell contributed 167 while batting at number four. England replied with 537. The match ended in a draw with the visitors reaching 98/3 after being set a target of 357 runs.

10. Viv Richards (West Indies)

Richards made his Test debut on 22 November 1974 and reached 2000 Test runs on 12 August 1976 during his 36th innings in his 21st Test at the Oval, the 3rd match of a series on the West Indies tour of England. Batting at number three, Richards made 291 to help his side to a total of 687/8 declared before bowling out England for 435. Chasing a set target of 435 for a win, England collapsed to be all out for 203 in their second innings, paving the way for a 231-run win by the West Indies.

*Updated on 26 Aug 2019