NEW DELHI: England adopted a notably aggressive batting strategy, achieving the fastest fifty in Test cricket history within just 4.2 overs against the West Indies at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday.
This milestone was reached on the first day of the second Test match, with the opening partnership of Ben Duckettwho scored 33 runs from 14 balls, and Ollie Popewith 16 runs not out from 9 balls, playing an instrumental role in this achievement.
Together, they managed to hit a total of ten boundaries, propelling England past its previous record of a team fifty in 4.3 overs. This prior record was set against South Africa at The Oval in 1994.
England’s cricket team now holds the top three spots for the fastest team fifties in Test cricket. The third-quickest fifty by England was recorded against Sri Lanka, achieved in 5 overs during a Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester in 2002.
Following England in this list, Sri Lanka rank fourth, having reached a fifty in 5.2 overs against Pakistan in Karachi in 2004.
This milestone was reached on the first day of the second Test match, with the opening partnership of Ben Duckettwho scored 33 runs from 14 balls, and Ollie Popewith 16 runs not out from 9 balls, playing an instrumental role in this achievement.
Together, they managed to hit a total of ten boundaries, propelling England past its previous record of a team fifty in 4.3 overs. This prior record was set against South Africa at The Oval in 1994.
England’s cricket team now holds the top three spots for the fastest team fifties in Test cricket. The third-quickest fifty by England was recorded against Sri Lanka, achieved in 5 overs during a Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester in 2002.
Following England in this list, Sri Lanka rank fourth, having reached a fifty in 5.2 overs against Pakistan in Karachi in 2004.
Fastest team 50s in recorded Test cricket
4.2 – England vs WI, Nottingham, 2024
4.3 – England vs SA, The Oval, 1994
4.6 – England vs SL, Manchester, 2002
5.2 – Sri Lanka vs PAK, Karachi, 2004
5.3 – India vs ENG, Chennai, 2008
5.3 – India vs WI, Port of Spain, 2023
India are positioned fifth in the ranking for the fastest team fifties in Test cricket. The Indian team has twice achieved the opening stand of 50 in just 5.3 overs. The first instance was against England in Chennai in 2008, and the second occurrence was against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 2023.
This record by England not only underlines their aggressive batting approach but also highlights a trend in modern cricket towards faster scoring rates in the Test format.
