London, Jan 04 - Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara has become the fastest player to score 12,000 runs in Test cricket, thus also becoming the fifth player in the history of cricket to reach the milestone.

The veteran batsman has joined an elite club of players, which comprises of stalwarts that includes Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid of India, Ricky Ponting of Sri Lanka, Jacques Kallis of South Africa.

Sangakkara, who surpassed the mark in 224th Test innings, began his innings on 11,995 runs during his side's second Test against New Zealand and was given a standing ovation when he became the fastest batsman to reach the milestone , the BBC reported.

At the time of filing of this report, Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 203 to help his side to 356 runs for the loss of eight wickets after New Zealand was bowled out for 221 runs in the first innings, giving his side a lead of
135 runs.

New Zealand leads the two match Test series 1-0 after registering an eight-wicket win in Christchruch. (ANI)