Fastest Batters to Reach 10,000 Runs in Test Cricket

Test cricket is the pinanncale of this sport and it is certainly the hardest format of the game. It takes a lot to perform and deliver consistently for a long time. Every run in Test cricket is very important, and not many players can play consistently. This article is also related to a similar stat where we will talk about some batters who had a tremendous test career.

In this article we will talk about players with 10,000 runs. Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs in Test cricket. But do you know who is the fastest batter to reach 10,000 test runs in history? Below, we will talk about the top five batters on this elite list.

List of Top Five fastest batters to reach 10,000 runs in Test Cricket

5. Steve Smith (AUS)

Steve Smith is one of the best test batters that the game has seen in the last decade or so. He started his career as a leg-spinner and batted at no. 8 in his first game. But here, he is among the greatest of all time. Smith recently reached the 10,000-run mark in the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle in his 205th innings. He has scored 10,038* runs in 205 innings at an average of almost 56 with 34 centuries and 42 half-centuries.

4. Ricky Ponting (AUS)

Former Australian captain was the best captain that the game has seen. He retired with four ICC trophies. Ponting also retired with the second-most runs in test cricket, and he is the fourth-fastest overall, having done it in 196 innings. Ponting played 168 tests between 1995 and 2012 and scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85. He scored 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries with a best of 257.

3. Kumar Sangakkara (SL)

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara was an underrated batter, but his numbers are certainly mind-boggling. He retired with the most runs and centuries for Sri Lanka in international cricket. The Southpaw also holds the record for the second-most test double hundreds (11) after Sir Don Bradman (12). Sangakkara reached 10,000 test runs in his 195th innings. He played 134 tests and scored 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40 and the best of 319. The Southpaw scored 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries in total.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (IND)

The legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar is the second-fastest batter overall. Sachin retired with the most runs, centuries, half-centuries, and matches in test cricket history. That tells something about his longevity. Sachin played 200 tests and scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.78 and a best of 248 not out. He scored 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries and reached 10,000 runs in his 195th test innings.

1. Brian Lara (WI)

Brian Lara was one of the best batters that West Indies produced in this game. The left-hander holds the record for the highest test individual score and is the only batter to cross the 370-run mark twice in an innings. Lara reached 10,000 test runs in the 195th innings. Overall, he scored 11953 runs in 131 tests at an average of 52.88, with 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries.

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