Glorious beginnings: Youngest double-centurions in Test cricket
Test Cricket is the real judge of a player’s character and patience. And the amount of resolve and grit needed for a 20-22-year-old to score not just a hundred, but a double hundred in the longest format of the sport says a lot about that cricketer. Here are 5 youngest double centurions in Tests –
5. Graeme Smith- 21 years, 259 days
South Africa’s most successful captain was also one of the best openers in Test Cricket during his time. Playing against Bangladesh in East London, SA were sent in to bat first. They made sure to make the most of that opportunity. Smith opened the batting and got 200 runs, and was well-supported by Kirsten who got 150 runs to his name. They registered 529/4, and dismissed Bangladesh twice to win the match by an innings and 107 runs.
4. Gary Sobers- 21 years, 213 days
One of world cricket’s greatest all-rounders, Gary Sobers became the second-youngest West Indian to have achieved this feat. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first at Kingston. They could only muster 328 runs in the first innings. In response, West Indies batted exceptionally well scoring 790/3. Gary Sobers, batting at number 3, scored 365*. He was supported by Conrad Hunte who also got a double hundred. Pakistan were rolled over for 288 runs, as West Indies won the match by an innings and 174 runs.
3. Vinod Kambli- 21 years, 32 days
Vinod Kambli was the poster boy of Indian Cricket in his early days. One such iconic innings came in the 3rd Test of England’s tour of India, 1993 in Mumbai. England won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 347 runs in the 1st innings of the match. In response, India went all guns blazing. Kambli, batting at number 3 scored a well-made 244 on that track where the English batsmen except Graeme Hick struggled to put up big scores. India scored 591 runs and dismissed England for a paltry 229. India won the match by an innings and 15 runs.
2. George Headley- 20 years, 308 days
This record was made in the 4th Test of England’s Tour of West Indies, 1930. England won the toss at Kingston and elected to bat first. They amassed 849 runs in the 1st innings. In response, West Indies could only manage 286 runs. England then declared for 272/9 in the 3rd innings of the match, setting up an improbable target of 836 runs for the West Indies. Headley, walking in at number 3, played some dominating cricket to ensure that West Indies does not collapse. He scored 223 runs, as the match ended up being a draw on mutual agreement with the WI being 408/5.
1. Javed Miandad- 19 years, 140 days
On this day in 1989 Javed Miyandad scored 271 vs NZ which was his sixth and last test double century. His first double century against NZ at the age of 19yrs&140days made him the youngest double centurion in test cricket. He was one of the most prolific run scorer in test cricket pic.twitter.com/dosZumeX6Z
— Partho Das (@Partho_das007) February 25, 2020
This match was a part of the 3rd Test on New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan, 1976. Pakistan won the toss at National Stadium, Karachi and elected to bat first. They started well, as the team laid down a foundation of 151/2 before Miandad walked to bat in what was the 3rd Test of his international career. He batted for a long amount of time, and scored 206 runs in approximately 7 hours. He was dismissed by Collinge, however, Pakistan reached a total of 565/9. The match ended up as a draw, as Pakistan won the series 2-0.
