Today is 24 February, and this day is remembered as a day when Adam Gilchrist hits the fastest Double century in test cricket history. Although this record could not exist for a long time interval because Nathon Astle broke it just after 13 days of setting it against England. The former legendary player from New Zealand Nathan Astle broke this record by smashing fastest double-century in test cricket in just 153 balls. In 2002, Team Australia was going to play three-match test series against South Africa. Steve Waugh was leading the Australian team while Mark Boucher was captaining the South Africa team. The former wicket-keeper batsman Adam-Gilchrist played 212 balls to complete his first double-century in test cricket.
How did it happen?
At first, Australian captain Steve Waugh won the toss and elected to bat first. Opening batsman Mathew Hayden scored a fantastic century and built a strong partnership with Ricky Pointing and Skipper Steve Waugh. Batsman Daniel Martin also contributes his century and set a big score at Johannesburg. Wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist came at no. 7 and spent 293 minutes on the crease. In 293 minutes he destroyed the strong bowling line-up of South Africa. To complete his first double-century, Gilchrist faced 212 balls and smashed 19 faboulas fours and eight elegant sixes. The result of this was Australia win by an innings and 360 runs. Fast-Bowler Glenn McGrath picked eight-wickets in this match.
Gilchrist who is also known for her orthodox wicketkeeping shows why he is being counted in a high-class batsman category. Some other batsmen who are on the list of scoring fastest double-century in test cricket history are–
| Balls | Batsman | Match | Location | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 153 | NJ Astle | New Zealand v England | Christchurch | 2001-02 |
| 163 | BA Stokes | England v South Africa | Cape Town | 2015-16 |
| 168 | V Sehwag | India v Sri Lanka | Mumbai | 2009-10 |
| 182 | V Sehwag | India v Pakistan | Lahore | 2005-06 |
| 186 | BB McCullum | Pakistan v New Zealand | Sharjah | 2014-15 |
| 194 | V Sehwag | India v South Africa | Chennai | 2008 |
| 211 | HH Gibbs | South Africa v Pakistan | Cape Town | 2002-03 |
| 212 | AC Gilchrist | Australia v South Africa | Johannesburg | 2001-02 |
| 220 | IT Botham | England v India | The Oval | 1982 |
| 222 | V Sehwag | India v Pakistan | Multan | 2003-04 |
| 227 | V Sehwag | India v Sri Lanka | Galle | 2008 |
| 229 | PA de Silva | Sri Lanka v Bangladesh | Colombo (PSS) | 2002 |
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