Australia's no.3 passed the milestone on day one of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide
Marnus Labuschagne has become the fifth-fastest player to reach 2,000 Test runs, passing the milestone in just 34 innings.
The 27-year-old top-order batter achieved the feat on day one of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, eventually closing 95 not out off 275 balls with Australia in a commanding position on 221 for 2.
Only Don Bradman (22 innings), West Indies batter George Headley (32), Englishman Herb Sutcliffe (33) and fellow Australian Michael Hussey (33) have reached 2,000 runs in fewer innings than Labuschagne while Brian Lara took 35 innings – one more than Australia’s no.3.
Labuschagne made his Test debut for Australia against Pakistan in October 2018 but didn’t become a guaranteed starter until the Ashes series the following summer when he replaced Steve Smith as a concussion substitute in the second Test and went on to score 353 runs (four half-centuries) in seven innings.
Marnus the (run) machine.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2021
Only four players in Test history have scored 2,000 runs at a faster clip #Ashes pic.twitter.com/5Hhpz4B3FO
To date, the South African-born batter has made 20 Test appearances for Australia, scoring 2,054 runs at 64.18. In that time, he has scored five centuries and 12 half-centuries and has a career-best knock of 215, scored against New Zealand in January 2020.
Labuschagne is currently ranked second on the ICC’s Test batting rankings, behind England skipper Joe Root.
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