Fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket: From Herbert Sutcliffe to Yashasvi Jaiswal

England’s Herbert Sutcliffe holds the record for the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket. 

Herbert Sutcliffe scripted history in February 1925 after he became the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket. The former right-handed batter completed the incredible milestone in just 12 innings in cricket’s longest format.

Later in 1949, West Indies’ Everton Weekes also took just 12 innings to equal the record for the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket.

Legendary Donald Bradman features second on the list of the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket. Don Bradman took just 13 innings to reach the milestone in 1930.

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis became the latest cricketer to join the elite list. Talented left-handed batter Kamindu Mendis equalled Don Bradman’s record for the number of innings taken to complete 1000 runs in Test cricket.

Batting at number five, Kamindu Mendis slammed an unbeaten 182 against New Zealand in the first innings of the second Test to reach 1000 Test runs in 13 innings. Interestingly, the southpaw became the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket in 75 years.

Among Indian cricketers, Vinod Kambli was the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket. The former left-handed batter completed the milestone in just 14 innings in 1994.

Swashbuckling batter Yashasvi Jaiswal is the other Indian in the top 10 list of fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket. The flamboyant opening batter took just 16 innings to reach the incredible landmark against England in March 2024.

Know the players who were the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket.

Fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket

Herbert Sutcliffe | 12 innings

Former England cricketer Herbert Sutcliffe has been the record holder for being the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket for close to 100 years. During the fourth Test of England’s tour of Australia in February 1925, Herbert Sutcliffe completed the milestone of 1000 Test runs in 12 innings after he scored 143 while opening the batting in Melbourne. Between 1925 and 1935, Sutcliffe amassed 4,555 runs in 54 Test matches at an average of 60.73, including 16 centuries and 23 fifties to his name.

Everton Weekes | 12 innings

West Indies cricket great Everton Weekes shares the top spot for the fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket with Herbert Sutcliffe. Everton Weekes achieved the landmark in 12 innings during the fifth Test of the West Indies’ tour of India at Brabourne in February 1949. Weekes, who formed the famous “The Three Ws” of the West Indies cricket team along with Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott, ended his illustrious Test career with 4,455 runs in 48 Tests at an average of 58.61. He slammed 15 hundreds and 19 fifties in cricket’s longest format. 

Don Bradman | 13 innings

Don Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batter of all time, features third on the list of fastest to 1000 runs in Test cricket. In terms of matches, Don Bradman holds the record for the fastest to 1000 Test runs as he completed the milestone in just seven Test matches. The former right-handed batter hammered 334 against arch-rivals England in the third Test in Leeds in July 1930 to achieve the landmark of 1000 Test runs in just 13 innings. Between 1928 and 1948, Bradman accumulated 6,996 runs in 52 Tests at a staggering average of 99.94. He ended his Test career with 29 centuries and 13 fifties.

Photo credit: Imago