Top 10 Fastest Double Centuries In Test Cricket

The longest format of the game has evolved a lot in the last decade. After the introduction of T20 cricket, the batsmen have played at a better run rate. Thus, we have witnessed more results in the red ball version as compared to earlier times. Subsequently, there have been some double centuries made by the world-class batsmen. We take a look at top 10 fastest double centuries in Test cricket.

In fact, it is never easy to score a quick double hundred in the longest format of the game. The conditions are different and it requires time before a batsman can hit the ground running in his innings.

Here are the top 10 fastest double centuries in Test cricket.

10. Chris Gayle – 221 balls

Chris Gayle was at his absolute best in the 2010 Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle. The southpaw batsman scored a gargantuan score of 333 runs in the first innings to help his post a massive total of 580 runs. However, West Indies could not win the match as it ended in a stalemate.

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The Universe Boss completed his double ton in just 221 balls. The combative left-hander scored 34 fours and nine sixes in his big innings at a strike rate of 76.20.

Gayle showed no mercy for the Sri Lankan bowlers as he thrashed them all over the park. The veteran batsman was awarded the Man of the match.

9. Sir Ian Botham – 220 balls

Ian Botham was on song in the Oval Test match in 1982 against India. The right-hander played a blistering knock in 1982 when the batsmen used to play in a circumspect manner. Botham completed his double ton in 220 balls against India.

The talisman all-rounder scored 208 runs from 226 balls with the help of 19 fours and four sixes. In fact, Botham scored his runs at an impressive average of 92.03 and smashed Indian bowlers all over the park.

8. Adam Gilchrist – 212 balls

The former southpaw Australian batsman was one of the most explosive batsmen of the game. The left-hander had the skills to hit the ground running even in the Test format and he showed absolutely no respite for South African bowlers in 2002 when he completed his double century off just 212 runs.

Gilly remained unbeaten on 204 runs off 213 balls with the help of 19 fours and eight sixes. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored his runs at a stunning strike rate of 95.77.

Australia won that match by a huge margin of an innings and 360 runs and Gilchrist was awarded the Man of the match.

7. Herschelle Gibbs – 211 balls

The former South African batsman had the skills of scoring quick runs. Gibbs took Pakistan bowlers to cleaners in the second Cape Town Test in 2002-03 series. South African skipper Graeme Smith and Gibbs added a mammoth alliance of 368 runs for the opening partnership.

Gibbs scored his double ton in 211 balls and went on to score 228 runs from 240 balls. The right-hander scored 29 boundaries and half-a-dozen sixes as he scored his runs at a strike rate of 95.

The Proteas won the match by a massive margin of an innings and 142 runs and Gibbs was awarded the Man of the match.

6. Virender Sehwag – 194 balls

India’s opener Virender Sehwag followed a simple technique, ‘Watch the ball and hit the ball’. Sehwag was able to totally revolutionise the Test cricket with the help of pyrotechnics. There were never double thoughts in Sehwag’s batting and he helped the Indian team take massive strides in the pristine form of the game.

Sehwag took only 194 balls to complete his double century against South Africa in the Chennai Test in 2008. The combative batsman scored 319 runs off 304 balls with the help of 42 fours and five sixes to strike his runs at 104.93. The match ended in a draw but Sehwag was awarded the Man of the match.

5. Brendon McCullum – 186 balls

Brendon McCullum was well known for his attacking batting. McCullum always loved attacking the batsmen from the get-go and played his natural game even in the longest format of the game. McCullum was brutal against Pakistan in 2014 Test match in Sharjah. The right-hander was at his best as he smashed a double century in just 186 balls.

The New Zealand skipper scored 21 fours and 11 sixes as he scored 202 runs from 188 balls at a stunning strike rate of 107.44. The Kiwis won the match convincingly by an innings and 80 runs.

4. Virender Sehwag – 182 balls

India’s former talisman batsman Virender Sehwag once again makes the list. Sehwag was at his brutal best against Pakistan in the 1st Test of the 2006 tour at Lahore. The right-hander scored 254 runs from 247 balls with the help of 47 fours and one six. Sehwag scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 102.83.

However, the match ended in a draw but Sehwag was awarded the Man of the match for his double. Pakistan had also posted a gigantic score of 679 runs in the first innings whereas India scored 410-1 in their first essay.

3. Virender Sehwag – 168 balls

The Indian opener makes the list for the third time. Sehwag could have become the first player to score three triple centuries but he was dismissed after scoring a scintillating knock of 293 runs from 254 balls. The right-hander scored 40 fours and seven sixes in his monumental knock at a strike rate of 115.35.

Sehwag completed his double century in only 168 balls as he showed no mercy for the Lankan bowlers. India posted a gargantuan score of 726 runs and won comprehensively by an innings and 24 runs. No doubt, Virender Sehwag was awarded the Man of the match.

2. Ben Stokes – 163 balls

England’s talisman all-rounder Ben Stokes was able to hit the ground running against South Africa in the 2016 Test match at Cape Town. The left-hander scored 30 fours and 11 sixes to complete his double century in 163 balls. The southpaw batsman scored his runs at a strike rate of 130.33 and scored a fine knock of 258 runs from 198 balls. Stokes was awarded the Man of the Match for his knock.

However, the match ended in a draw as South Africa also scored 627 runs in their first innings with Hashim Amla scoring a double century.

1. Nathan Astle – 153

The former New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle was on song in the first Test match at Christchurch in 2002. Astle had an impossible task at hand to chase down the big target but he decided not to go down without a fight. The right-hander scored his double century off just 153 balls and it is regarded as one of the best double centuries in Test cricket.

The talisman batsman scored 222 runs from 168 balls with the help of 28 fours and 11 sixes. However, Astle’s effort went in vain as New Zealand lost the Test match by 98 runs. England batsman Graham Thorpe had also scored a fine double hundred in the same match.

(All Stats Updated Till 18th July, 2019)