A look at fastest batters to 1,000 Test runs
What's the story
Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has become the fastest Sri Lankan batter to complete 1,000 Test runs. Mendis attained the milestone during his knock of a 182* in SL's first innings (602/5d) versus New Zealand in the 2nd Test. The Lankan batter is overall the joint second-fastest to enter the 1,000-run club along with Sir Donald Bradman. Here are the fastest players with this feat.
#1
Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes: 12 innings
England's Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies's Everton Weekes completed 1,000 runs in their first 12 innings, the joint-fastest in Test cricket. The former remains the only player to have attained this feat within a year (244 days). He made his Test debut in June 1924 and completed 1,000 runs in February next year. Meanwhile, Weekes did so in a year and 14 days.
#2
Donald Bradman and Kamindu Mendis: 13 innings
As mentioned, Mendis, in Galle, equaled the long-standing record of Sir Donald Bradman. Bradman, hailed as an all-time great, took only 13 innings (seven matches) to get to 1,000 Test runs. He reached the landmark in July 1930 after making his debut in November 1928. Meanwhile, Mendis is the fastest Sri Lankan batter to the milestone, breaking Roy Dias's record (23 innings).
#3
Neil Harvey and Vinod Kambli: 14 innings
Australia's Neil Harvey took 14 innings to complete 1,000 runs in Test cricket. He attained the feat in his 10th Test match in December 1950. Former Indian batter Vinod Kambli occupy the third spot on this list with Harvey. The former made his mark quite early in Test cricket before disappearing from the international circuit.