Fastest 500: Highest run rate for a 500-plus total in Tests

England have adopted a new aggressive approach under the management of Brendon McCullum which has helped them score big on numerous occasions in the longest format. With this approach, the batters have played breezy knocks without wasting much time out in the middle thereby helping them attain humongous totals at a steady run rate. Impressively, England have consistently scored big and quick and rule the list of 500-plus totals scored in record quick time.

3) 5.49 – England vs Australia at Manchester in 2023

The fourth Test of the Ashes 2023 saw England put up a massive total in the second innings as they got 592 runs in response to Australia’s 317. Zak Crawley slammed 189 off 182 balls which featured 21 fours and three sixes and was further aided by the middle order as the likes of Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow compiled scores of 54, 84, 61, 51, and 99*, respectively. The innings saw England maintain a solid run rate of 5.49 which helped them remain in the driver’s seat. Despite a big score, persistent showers interrupted play, ending the match in a draw. 

2) 6.33 – England vs Ireland at Lord’s in 2023

In the one-off Test at Lord’s in 2023 against Ireland, the Three Lions scored 524 runs before declaring the innings. Ollie Pope’s double-century (205 off 208 balls) coupled with Ben Duckett’s 182 off 178 balls kept England a step ahead in the contest with a run rate of 6.33. Eventually, England outrightly dominated Ireland by 10 wickets to win the contest.

1) 6.50 – England vs Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2022

During the first Test in England’s tour of Pakistan in 2022, the visiting team hammered 657 runs in just 101 overs of the first innings. Harry Brook’s stellar century (153 off 116 balls) along with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope compiling scores of 122, 107, and 108 propelled England to the mammoth total. England eventually won the contest by 74 runs.