Top 5 fastest triple-hundreds in Tests ft. Harry Brook
Reaching a triple century in Test cricket is one of the most rare milestones in the game. It requires a combination of skill, patience, and determination. Over the years, a handful of batters have managed to achieve this extraordinary feat, joining an elite club of cricketers.
Dominating the bowlers and taking them on for a long time period does not come easy, particularly in Test cricket where batting long hours can get tiring.
However, there are batters who have not only batted for long periods but have also gotten their names in the record books by smashing triple tons and doing so in quick time as well.
The recent entrant into the list of fastest Test triple-hundreds in Tests is Harry Brook, after his whirlwind innings against Pakistan in the ongoing first Test at Multan.
On that note, here are the five batters who have scored the fastest triple-hundreds in Tests.
Top 5 fastest triple-hundreds in Tests
#5 Karun Nair (India) - 381 balls
Karun Nair features at number five on this list. He slammed his only Test triple-hundred against England in 2016 in Chennai. Batting first, England posted a total of 477 in their first innings.
Walking in to bat at No. 5, Karun made the most of the opportunity as he went on to score an unbeaten 303 off just 381 deliveries. His innings comprised of 32 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 79.52.
India declared their innings at 759/7 and later went on to win the game by an innings and 75 runs. Karun was also adjudged 'Player of the Match.'
#4 Virender Sehwag (India) - 364 balls
Known for his fearless batting and merciless hitting against the opposition, Virender Sehwag features not once but twice on this list. His first-ever triple hundred in Tests came against Pakistan in Multan back in 2004.
Sehwag's innings was a masterclass of aggressive batting, as he dominated the Pakistani bowlers with his powerful strokes. He got to the landmark in 364 balls, ending with a score of 309 in India's first innings. Sehwag smashed 39 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 82.40.
He also won the 'Player of the Match' award for his solid display in Multan against a strong Pakistan bowling unit.
#3 Matthew Hayden (Australia) - 362 balls
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden is the only other non-Indian batter on this list. Hayden was known for his power-hitting and aggressive intent upfront.
During the first Test against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003, Hayden took the attack to the bowlers, slamming a magnificent triple-hundred. He scored 380 runs, taking 362 deliveries to get to the triple ton.
His knock was laced with 38 fours and 11 sixes, coming at a strike rate of 86.95. Australia crushed Zimbabwe to win by an innings and 175 runs. Hayden also won the 'Player of the Match' award for his exceptional feat.
#2 Harry Brook (England) - 310 balls
The latest entrant into the list of fastest triple-hundreds in Tests is England's Harry Brook, achieving the feat during his blistering innings against Pakistan in the ongoing first Test at Multan.
Pakistan scored 556 runs in the first innings after which England came out all guns blazing in reply. In their first innings, the visitors posted a mammoth total of 823/7 declared. Harry Brook top-scored in the onslaught with a fiery 317-run knock, taking just 310 balls to get to the 300-mark.
Brook scored 29 fours and three sixes in his stunning knock, at a strike rate of 98.45. He is only behind Sehwag for scoring the fastest triple-hundred in the format.
#1 Virender Sehwag (India) - 278 balls
India's Virender Sehwag is on the list once again. He is the fastest batter to have scored a Test triple-hundred. Sehwag achieved the feat when he scored his second triple hundred in the format, which came against South Africa in Chennai in 2008.
In India's first innings, Sehwag powered his way through to a brilliant 319 off just 304 deliveries, hitting 42 fours and five sixes and scoring at an impressive strike rate of 104.93.
Sehwag took just 278 deliveries to get to the 300-run mark, making him the fastest batter to do so.