Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis etched his name in the record books on Friday, becoming the fastest Asian batter to reach five Test centuries. The 25-year-old achieved this milestone during the second Test match against New Zealand, surpassing the previous Asian record held by Pakistan’s Fawad Alam, who reached the five-century mark in 22 innings.
Mendis’s achievement now places him among the elite, as he joins the fourth fastest in the all-time list of fastest batters to five Test centuries. He has now reached this milestone in a mere 13 innings, equalling the record held by legendary Australian batsman Don Bradman and West Indies’ George Headley.
The Sri Lankan batsman’s meteoric rise in Test cricket continued in this match. Just the day before, he had set a new world record for the most consecutive fifty-plus scores since his debut. Mendis has achieved an incredible eight half-centuries in his last eight matches, dating back to his first Test against Australia two years ago.
Here’s a look at the fastest batters to reach five Test centuries:
* Everton Weekes (WI) – 10 innings
* Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG) – 12 innings
* Neil Harvey (AUS) – 12 innings
* Don Bradman (AUS) – 13 innings
* George Headley (WI) – 13 innings
* Kamindu Mendis (SL) – 13 innings
Mendis’s remarkable form and record-breaking achievements highlight his exceptional talent and potential as a formidable force in the world of Test cricket.
