New Delhi: England opener Ben Duckett surpassed the likes of Tim Southee and Adam Gilchrist to create the record for being the fastest batter to complete 2,000 runs in Test cricket in terms of balls taken. Duckett achieved the feat with a brilliant hundred on Day 2 of the ongoing 2nd Test between England and Pakistan in Multan on Wednesday.
The opening batter notched up his 4th Test century in the game en route to a terrific knock of 114 runs. Duckett’s 114 came off just 129 balls and was studded with 16 fours as he played exceptionally well against the Pakistan spinners on a pitch that had significant help on offer for them. His 114 helped England finish with 239/6 at stumps on Day 2.
In pursuit of Pakistan’s first-innings total of 366 runs, Duckett combined with his opening partner Zak Crawley to get England off to a good start. The left-hander dominated the opening stand of 73 runs between the duo as Crawley departed after scoring 27 off 36 deliveries. Duckett then combined with Ollie Pope (29) to add another important stand of 52 runs for the 2nd wicket.
He then joined hands with Joe Root to share an 86-run partnership for the third wicket and continued to lead England’s response in their second innings. Duckett completed his half-century off just 47 balls before reaching his 4th Test ton in 120 deliveries.
Ben Duckett – Fastest to 2000 Test runs
Duckett was 82 runs away from completing 2,000 runs in Test cricket ahead of England’s 1st innings in the 2nd Test against Multan. He managed to achieve the milestone comfortably en route to his magnificent ton. Duckett completed 2000 Test runs in just 2,293 balls. He broke the record held by New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who took 2,418 balls to reach the feat.
Duckett also went past the likes of Adam Gilchrist (2483 balls) and Virender Sehwag (2759 balls) to go on top of the elite list. The England opener has 2026 runs to his name in 51 Test innings in his career so far at an average of over 40 and a strike rate of more than 87, including 4 centuries and 11 fifties.
