A double century in Test cricket is considered a significant achievement and holds great importance. Scoring a double century requires an immense amount of skill, concentration, and stamina. It is a testament to a batsman's ability to perform at an elite level for an extended period. Double centuries are relatively rare in Test cricket, making them a significant milestone for batsmen.
A double century often signifies the batsman's dominance over the opposition bowlers. It shows the ability to score freely and control the game, putting pressure on the opposing team. It can demoralize the bowlers and give the batting side a psychological advantage.
A double century is a personal milestone for a batsman and often serves as a career highlight. It signifies their ability to convert a good start into a substantial score and showcases their batting prowess. In this article, we have compiled a list of 5 players who have scored the fastest double-hundreds in Test cricket.
1) Nathan Astle – New Zealand
Nathan Astle holds the record for the fastest double century in Test cricket. He achieved this feat against England in Christchurch in 2002. Astle reached his double century in just 153 balls, smashing 28 fours and 11 sixes along the way. He finished with an unbeaten 222 runs. Nathan Astle had a distinctive and aggressive batting style that made him an exciting player to watch. He was known for his ability to score runs quickly and play aggressive strokes. Astle was known for his quick footwork, which allowed him to get into position quickly and play his shots effectively.
2) Ben Stokes – England
Ben Stokes achieved this feat against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2016. Stokes reached his double century in just 163 balls, surpassing the previous record set by Virender Sehwag. His innings was an extraordinary display of aggressive batting, including 30 fours and 11 sixes. Stokes' record-breaking performance demonstrated his ability to score runs at a rapid pace and showcased his power-hitting skills. He currently leads England in the Test format and has completely revived the red-ball format for England.
3) Virender Sehwag – India
Virender Sehwag achieved this milestone against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, India, in December 2009. Sehwag reached his double century in just 168 balls, setting a new record at that time. His innings were a phenomenal display of aggressive batting, including 22 fours and 7 sixes. Sehwag's record-breaking innings showcased his ability to dominate the opposition and score runs at a rapid pace.
4) Virender Sehwag – India
Sehwag comes twice in the list as he is the only batsman to score the fastest hundred twice. Sehwag’s first double-hundred came against Pakistan in Lahore in March 2004. His double century came off just 182 balls, breaking the previous record set by Nathan Astle. Sehwag's innings was an incredible display of aggressive batting, including 24 fours and 5 sixes. His remarkable achievement showcased his ability to score runs quickly and dominate the opposition bowlers.
5) Brendon McCullum – New Zealand
Brendon McCullum was known for his aggression in international cricket during his active days for New Zealand. McCullum made headlines while playing against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in November 2014 and reached his double century in just 186 balls. His innings was a spectacular display of aggressive batting, including 18 fours and 11 sixes. McCullum's record-breaking performance demonstrated his ability to score runs quickly and showcased his power-hitting skills.
