While Test cricket isn’t primarily focused on rapid run-scoring, there have been batsmen who defied convention and reached milestones with speed.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young opener from Mumbai who has taken Test cricket by storm, is the only Indian on the list of batsmen with fastest 1,000 runs in Test cricket. The legendary Don Brandman finds himself on the third spot in the list.
List of 10 Batsmen with Fastest to 1,000 Runs in Test Cricket
| Rank | Player | Opposition | Debut | Time | Mat | Inns |
| 1 | H Sutcliffe | v Australia | 14 Jun 1924 | 0y 244d | 9 | 12 |
| 2 | ED Weekes | v India | 21 Jan 1948 | 1y 14d | 9 | 12 |
| 3 | DG Bradman | v England | 30 Nov 1928 | 1y 223d | 7 | 13 |
| 4 | RN Harvey | v England | 23 Jan 1948 | 2y 312d | 10 | 14 |
| 5 | VG Kambli | v West Indies | 29 Jan 1993 | 1y 293d | 12 | 14 |
| 6 | L Hutton | v West Indies | 26 Jun 1937 | 1y 363d | 11 | 16 |
| 7 | FMM Worrell | v Australia | 11 Feb 1948 | 3y 314d | 10 | 16 |
| 8 | LG Rowe | v England | 16 Feb 1972 | 2y 42d | 12 | 16 |
| 9 | YBK Jaiswal | v England | 12 Jul 2023 | 0y 239d | 9 | 16 |
| 10 | GA Headley | v Australia | 11 Jan 1930 | 1y 47d | 9 | 17 |
1. Herbert Sutcliffe – England
Herbert Sutcliffe, renowned for his impeccable technique, is the fastest to reach 1000 runs in the longest format of the game. Debuting on 14th June 1924, Sutcliffe achieved this milestone against Australia at Melbourne on 13th February 1925, in just 12 innings, a mere 244 days into his Test career.
He was the first cricketer to hit 16 centuries in Test cricket. He’s best known for partnering with Jack Hobbs, forming what many consider the greatest partnership in cricket history. Additionally, Sutcliffe is the only English batsman to maintain an average of over 60 runs per innings throughout his entire career.
Read More: Which Country is The Best in Cricket?
2. Everton Weekes – West Indies
Everton Weekes, part of the legendary ‘Three Ws’ of West Indian cricket, is second on the list. Making his Test debut on 21st January 1948, Weekes reached 1000 runs in just 12 innings against India at Brabourne on 4th February 1949, in a swift 1 year and 14 days.
Weekes also set the record for the highest number of consecutive Test centuries, achieving five in a row. Representing the West Indies cricket team from 1948 to 1958, he participated in 48 Test matches.
3. Don Bradman – Australia
Don Bradman’s name resonates through the annals of cricket history as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Debuting on 30th November 1928, Bradman achieved the milestone of 1000 Test runs against England at Leeds on 11th July 1930, in 13 innings, just 1 year and 223 days into his career. His unparalleled batting average of 99.94 remains a testament to his unmatched skill and dominance.
4. Robert Harvey – Australia
Robert Neil Harvey, who played 79 Test matches for Australia, reached 1000 Test runs in just 14 innings on 1st December 1950 at Brisbane, 2 years and 312 days into his career. Harvey stepped onto the field for the first time in January 1948 at the age of 19 and three months. In just his second match, he clinched the title of the youngest Australian to score a Test century—a record unbroken to this day.
Suggested Read: 5 Richest Cricket Board in the World
5. Vinod Kambli – India
Making his Test debut on 29th January 1993, Vinod Kambli achieved the milestone of 1000 runs in just 14 innings against West Indies at Wankhede on 18th November 1994, in 1 year and 293 days. Kambli also holds the unique distinction of being the only cricketer to score three consecutive Test centuries across three innings against three different countries. Across his 17 Tests, he maintained an average of 69.13 in the first innings, while in the second innings, his average dropped significantly to just 9.40.
6. Len Hutton – England
Len Hutton, debuting on 26th June 1937, achieved the milestone of fastest 1,000 runs in Tests against West Indies at Lord’s on 24th June 1939, in 16 innings, 1 year and 363 days into his career. Hutton represented England in 79 Test matches from 1937 to 1955.
In 1938, he made history by recording the highest individual innings in a Test match during only his sixth appearance, scoring 364 runs against Australia. This record remained unbroken for nearly two decades.
7. Frank Worrell – West Indies
Frank Worrell, a luminary of West Indian cricket, reached 1000 Test runs in just 16 innings against Australia at Adelaide on 22nd December 1951, in a span of 3 years and 314 days into his career. He also holds the record for being the only batsman to have been involved in two 500-run partnerships in Test cricket. Revered as the “Nelson Mandela of Cricket,” he earned this title for being the second black captain of the West Indies cricket team.
8. Lawrence Rowe – West Indies
Lawrence Rowe achieved the milestone of 1000 Test runs in just 16 innings against England at Port of Spain on 30th March 1974, in a span of 2 years and 42 days into his career.
His Test match debut against New Zealand at Sabina Park, Kingston in 1972, marked a historic moment as he scored 214 and 100 not out, becoming the first cricketer to achieve a double and single century on Test debut. This performance also resulted in a batting average of 314 after his inaugural Test match.
Further Read: Fastest 1000 Runs in ODI
9. Yashasvi Jaiswal – India
Yashasvi Jaiswal, heralded as the future of Indian cricket, announced his arrival with a flurry of runs early in his career. Debuting on 12th July 2023, Jaiswal reached 1000 Test runs in just 16 innings against England at Dharamsala on 7th March 2024, in 239 days into his career. His hunger for runs and precocious talent make him a promising prospect for Indian cricket.
10. George Headley – West Indies
George Headley, often hailed as one of the greatest batsmen from West Indies, reaches the milestone of 1000 Test runs against Australia at Sydney on 27th February 1931, in 17 innings, just 1 year and 47 days into his career.
Headley accumulated 2,190 runs in Tests with an average of 60.83 and amassed 9,921 runs in all first-class matches with an average of 69.86. He lived until 1983, and his cricketing legacy continued through his son Ron and grandson Dean, both of whom played Test cricket for West Indies and England, respectively.
FAQs about Fastest to 1000 Test Runs
Who is the fastest to 1000 Test runs?
England’s Herbert Sutcliffe is the fastest to reach 1000 runs in Test cricket. Sutcliffe achieved this milestone against Australia at Melbourne on 13th February 1925, in just 12 innings, a mere 244 days into his Test career.
Who among Indians is the fastest to reach 1000 runs in Tests?
The answer is Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal reached 1000 Test runs in just 16 innings against England at Dharamsala on 7th March 2024, 239 days into his career.
