Cricket’s oldest and most prestigious format is the test match, which lasts five days and requires players to demonstrate their stamina, skill, and temperament. In Test cricket, scoring runs is difficult because the bowlers have more time and opportunities to take advantage of the conditions and the batsmen’s flaws.
But there have been some remarkable hitters who have scored runs quickly and reached the milestone of 200 runs in one innings in a very short period of time. Based on the quantity of balls faced, the
following five Test cricket games saw the fastest 200 runs:
1- Nathan Astle (New Zealand) vs. England (2002) – 153 balls: Nathan Astle retains the record for the quickest 200 in Test cricket, which he attained in an extraordinary innings against England at Christchurch in 2002.
In the fourth innings, New Zealand was chasing a massive 550-run mark and had fallen to 119 for 5 when Astle entered the field. With 28 fours and 11 sixes, he launched a counterattack against the English bowlers and scored 222 runs in just 168 balls.
He beat Adam Gilchrist’s previous record by scoring 200 runs in the span of just 153 balls. One of the most iconic innings in Test history, despite the fact that his contribution was unable to prevent New Zealand from losing by 98 run.
2-Ben Stokes (England) v South Africa (2016) – 163 balls: Ben Stokes is one of the most explosive all-rounders in cricket, and in 2016 at Cape Town, he demonstrated his prowess with the bat.
When Stokes joined Jonny Bairstow at the crease during England’s opening innings, they were at 223 for 5.
With Stokes controlling the action, the pair put on a record- breaking partnership of 399 runs for the sixth wicket. With just 198 balls, he scored 258 runs, including 30 fours and 11 sixes.
His 200 came off just 163 balls, shattering his own record for the quickest Englishman double century.
His performance aided England’s declaration at 629 for 6, which enabled them to win the game by 241 runs.
3.Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) vs. Pakistan (2014) – 186 balls: Brendon McCullum was one of the most assertive captains and batters in Test cricket, and he displayed his flair and brilliance in a brilliant innings against Pakistan at Sharjah in 2014.
When McCullum arrived to start the New Zealand innings, they were at 32 for no loss in their opening at-bat.
He used his signature strokes to take on the Pakistani bowlers, scoring a scorching 202 off just 188 balls with 21 fours and 11 sixes. He broke his own record for the quickest double- century by a New Zealander by reaching 200 off just 186 balls. His performance aided New Zealand in scoring a huge total of 690 runs, which they used to defeat their opponent by an innings and 80 runs.
4.Adam Gilchrist(Australia) vs South Africa(2002)- 212 balls :against South Africa in 2002.One of the best wicketkeeper batters of all time, Adam Gilchrist produced some of Test cricket’s most damaging centuries.
One of these innings took place in Johannesburg in 2002 against South Africa. When Gilchrist entered the batting order at position number seven, Australia had reached a score of 293 for 5. With 19 fours and 8 sixes, he hit a stunning 204 not out off just 213 balls after unleashing his wrath on the South African bowlers. He beat Ian Botham’s previous record by scoring 200 runs in just 212 balls.
Australia declared at 652 for seven thanks in part to his effort, and they went on to win the
game by an innings and 360 runs.
5.Virender Sehwag (India) vs Pakistan (2006) – 222 balls: Virender Sehwag was one of the game’s most explosive openers and produced some of the match’s most breath-taking innings. One such innings occurred in 2006 at Lahore against Pakistan. Sehwag’s aggressive batting provided India, who was batting first, a flying start. His amazing 254 off just 247 balls included 47 fours and 6 sixes.
In doing so, he broke his own record for the quickest double century by an Indian and took
just 222 balls to hit 200.
His performance enabled India to declare at 603 for four runs and draw the game.
These are a few instances of batsmen scoring 200 runs in under two minutes in Test cricket, demonstrating their strength and prowess.
They have also left their imprint on the game’s history while enthralling the crowd and onlookers with their daring and exciting strokes.
