New Zealand's Nathan Astle smashed the fastest Test double hundred on March 16, 2002, three weeks after the previous record was set. Astle took 153 balls to score his double century against England, surpassing Australia's Adam Gilchrist who reached the milestone in 212 balls against South Africa on February 23, 2002. Astle scored 222(168), including 28 fours and 11 sixes.