Luke Wright becomes first player to cross 5000-run mark in T20 Blast history

The most experienced player of the Sussex County team achieved a unique feat in the ongoing T20 blast on June 19 (Sunday) at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. 

He became the first player in the history of the tournament to cross the milestone of 5000 runs. 

In a South group game against Glamorgan, Wright slammed 57 off 43 balls, comprising six fours and a solitary six. Although the Welsh County outfit ended up winning the game, Wright etched his name into the history books. 

Currently, the 37-year-old has 5026 runs in 166 innings at an average of 32.84, with five centuries and 30 half-centuries. His top score of 153* in 66 balls came against Essex during the 2014 edition of T20 Blast 2022. 

Wright made his T20 debut in 2004 against Surrey, which was also his first T20 Blast game. He was a key part of the team’s successful campaign and went on to lift their first and only T20 Blast Title in 2009, wherein he scored 199 runs in nine innings. 

In 2018, Sussex emerged as the runner-up, while Wright amassed 452 runs in 12 innings. 

In 344 games in the shortest format, the Lincolnshire-born cricketer has amassed 8526 runs at an average of 29.19, including seven centuries. 

He has also represented England in 50 ODIs and 51 T20Is, last featuring for the Three Lions in 2014. 

In the eight games of the ongoing edition of T20 Blast, Wright has scored 158 runs at a strike rate of 129.50. 

Next to him in the Blast run-tally is Kent’s Joe Denly, with 4619 runs in 175 innings. Third on the list is Hampshire’s opener James Vince, who has garnered 4598 runs in 153 innings. 

Sussex has three wins in 10 games and has to win all of their remaining four to have a chance to feature in the quarter-finals.