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Harry Brook equals Herbert Sutcliffe’s 96-year-old record to become the joint-fastest English batter to score 2000 runs in Test cricket.
Harry Brook becomes joint-fastest English batter to score 2000 runs in Test cricket. (Picture Credit: X/@ICC, AP)
Harry Brook was on fire for England against New Zealand on Friday (November 29) during the second day’s play of the ongoing first Test of the three-match series between the two teams. In the match taking place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the right-handed batter came out to bat at No. 5 for the Ben Stokes-led side, and at the close of the day’s play, he was batting on 132 runs. During his 163-ball stay at the crease so far, the 25-year-old batter, who made his Test debut in 2022, has hammered 10 fours and 2 sixes.
By crossing the 69-run mark during England’s first innings on Friday, Brook completed 2000 runs in Test cricket, and by doing so, he equalled a 96-year-old record. Brook became the joint-fastest England batter to score 2000 runs in Test cricket. He achieved the feat in his 22nd Test.
Fastest to 2000 runs for England in Tests (by match)
- Herbert Sutcliffe – 22
- Harry Brook – 22
- Kevin Pietersen – 22
- Denis Compton – 23
- Wally Hammond – 23
- Jack Hobbs – 23
- Jonathan Trott – 24
- Joe Root – 24
- Ken Barrington – 25
- Leonard Hutton – 25
- Andrew Strauss – 25
Herbert Sutcliffe, who played 54 Tests for England during his playing days and scored 4555 runs, also completed 2000 Test runs in 22 matches. He achieved the feat during the match played against the West Indies in Manchester in July 1928.
Former captain Kevin Pietersen also completed 2000 runs in 22 Tests for England. However, in terms of innings, Pietersen remains in the third position. Sutcliffe needed 33 innings to cross the 2000-run mark, and Brook is playing his 36th Test innings for Poms these days. Pietersen, on the other hand, needed 41 innings.
Fastest to 2000 Test runs for England (by innings)
- Herbert Sutcliffe – 33
- Harry Brook – 36
- Denis Compton – 37
- Wally Hammond – 39
- Jonathan Trott – 40
The overall record of reaching fastest to 2000 runs in Tests is in the name of legendary Australian batter Sir Donald Bradman. The right-handed batter crossed the 2000-run mark in just his 15th Test match. In terms of innings as well, Bradman tops the tally. He completed 2000 Test runs in the 22nd inning.
Former West Indies batter George Headley is second on the list with 17 Tests (32 innings), and he is followed by Australian duo Michael Hussey and Marnus Labuschagne (20 Tests each). West Indies batter Vivian Richards and South Africa’s Graeme Pollock completed 2000 Test runs in 21 matches.
For India, the record for scoring the fastest 2000 runs in Test cricket is in the name of Sunil Gavaskar (23 Tests). In terms of innings, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag top the list after achieving the feat in their 40th inning.
