Jamie Smith Joins Quinton de Kock As Fastest Wicketkeeper To 1000 Test Runs

Jamie Smith has been in sensational form [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/x.com]

Jamie Smith is in the form of his life and on Friday at Lord’s, the 24-year-old Englishman added another feather to his cap by becoming the joint-fastest wicketkeeper-batter to reach 1000 Test runs in terms of innings. It took him just 21 innings, putting him right alongside South Africa’s Quinton de Kock at the top of the list.

Jamie Smith Scripts History With Fighting Fifty At Lord's

Jamie Smith has joined an elite club of glovemen who have hit 1000 runs at top speed. Here is a look at the fastest wicketkeepers to reach 1000 Test runs:

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Smith Smashes Record For Quickest 1000 Test Runs By Balls Faced

Here’s where it gets even better. Smith didn’t just match the innings record. He smashed the world record for the fewest balls faced to reach 1000 Test runs as a keeper. Just 1303 balls is all it took. 

The next best? Sarfaraz Ahmed (1311) followed by Adam Gilchrist (1330), Niroshan Dickwella (1367) and Quinton de Kock (1375).

In short, Jamie Smith isn’t wasting time at the crease, he is making it count every single delivery. Not bad company for a 24-year-old still settling into the Test circuit.

Jamie Smith Has Been In Stunning Form

Let’s not forget Smith’s 184* in the second Test at Edgbaston wasn’t just any knock. It became the highest individual score by an English wicketkeeper in Tests and he backed that up with another 88 in the second innings.

And just for context, he came into this Lord’s Test on the back of 40 and 44* in Leeds, and as of now on Day 2 of the ENG vs IND 3rd Test, he is unbeaten on 40 again at the time of writing this article.

It is worth mentioning that while the overall record for the fastest to 1000 Test runs (by innings) still belongs to the likes of Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes (12 innings) and Don Bradman by matches (7 Tests), Smith has nailed down his own little slice of history as a keeper.

At a time when England are searching for long-term stability behind the stumps, Jamie Smith has arrived, and he’s doing it with style. From solid glove-work to explosive batting, Smith is ticking all the boxes.

The records are coming in thick and fast and at this rate, England might just have their next great all-format wicketkeeper-batter in the making.

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