Fastest batters to complete 9,000 Test runs

Test cricket often pushes batters to perform at their best level, however, only certain cricketers consistently display terrific innings either with the bat or with the ball. Speaking about the performances with the bat, from England’s Joe Root to former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting have breached the 9000-run mark in Test cricket. However, to be able to attain the feat in fewer matches is quite another milestone. With that said, we take a look at the top three players who took fewer matches to reach 9,000 Test runs-

3. Rahul Dravid | 176 innings

The former India cricketer garnered truckloads of runs during his stint with the national team. Rahul Dravid notched up 9,000 runs in Test cricket in record 176 innings, the third quickest in terms of innings in the history of the game. Dravid concluded his 164-Test career with 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31 with 63 fifties and 36 hundreds.

2. Steve Smith | 174 innings

Smith’s status as a Test great continues to grow as the batter slammed 110 runs in the second Ashes Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. In doing so, Smith got his name associated with multiple records. The Aussie flamboyant batter got the 9000-run mark during the second Test against England, reaching there in 174 innings. With this, he also became the fastest Australian to get to the 9000-run mark in Test cricket, surpassing the likes of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh.

1. Kumar Sangakkara | 172 innings

The former Sri Lanka skipper holds the record for the fastest to reach 9000 runs in Test cricket. The southpaw attained the monumental feat in mere 172 innings during a match against Pakistan in 2011. Sangakkara concluded his stint with the national team, scoring 12400 runs in 134 Test matches at an average of 57.40.