Batters with Most Runs in Test Cricket: Test Cricket is one of the oldest and most glorious forms of cricket. The Red-Ball format has a tremendous fan base across the globe. Test Cricket is a game of sheer patience, discipline, and perseverance. The batsman plays a key role in holding the crease whereas the bowler tries to dismiss the batsmen by swinging and spinning deliveries.
Since the inception of Test Cricket, several batsmen have embraced their careers and scored stupendously in the longest format of the game. These batters have time & again proved that they are the pioneers of the Test format & have taken the longest format of cricket to new heights. So today in this writeup we have decided to celebrate the batsman who has scripted history by scoring a plethora of runs in Test format. Here is the list of batsmen who have scored the Most Test runs in their cricketing career.
Batters with the most Runs in Test Cricket
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Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar holds the record of scoring the most Test runs in the history of the sport. Tendulkar has scored 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches. Tendulkar has been a prolific Test batsman with 51 Centuries and 68 Half-Centuries against his name. His remarkable career ended with a stunning average of 53.78 along with a highest score of 248*.
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Australian maestro Ricky Ponting has been the most successful Australian cricketer and holds the record of second highest Test runs by any batsman. Ponting has scored 13,378 runs in 168 Test matches with a fantastic average of 51.85. Ponting has 42 Test Centuries and 62 Half-Centuries against his name. His highest Test score is 257 and he is also Australia’s most successful Test skipper.
3) Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Proteas batsman Jacques Kallis is one of the most scintillating Test batsmen who has been commanding throughout his career. Kallis is the third-highest run scorer in Test cricket as he has smashed 13,289 runs in 166 matches. Kallis has anchored 45 Test Centuries and 58 Half-Centuries in his exemplary career with a massive average of 55.37 and a highest score of 224. He is South Africa’s most successful Test batsman.
4) Rahul Dravid (India)
Rahul Dravid, often regarded as The Wall is the fourth-highest run-scorer in the history of Test Cricket. Dravid has been a commendable Test batsman who always batted with a great temperament. Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Test matches with a sizzling average of 52.31. Dravid has powered 36 Test Centuries and 63 Half-Centuries. He has faced the highest number of deliveries in Test cricket totaling over 31,000.
5) Alaistair Cook (England)
Alastair Cook is England’s greatest batting sensation who has remained phenomenal throughout his career. Cook has scored 12,472 runs in 161 Test matches with a decent average of 45.35. Cook has scored consistently and powered 36 Test Centuries and 63 Half-Centuries in his breathtaking career with a highest score of 294. Cook has also led the England contingent for a brief period and rose the side through the ranks of glory.
6 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s veteran batsman and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara has been the most contemplated Test batsman for the island nation. Sangakkara has scored 12,400 runs in 134 Test matches with a thumping average of 57.40. Sangakkara has smashed 38 Centuries and 52 Half-Centuries in his magnificent career along with a highest score of 319. Sangakkara has always been the most viable batsman in Lanka’s batting attack.
7) Brian Lara (West Indies)
The Caribbean powerhouse Brian Lara has been the most efficient Test batsman with a range of quality innings. Lara has scored 11,953 runs in 131 Test matches at an astonishing average of 52.88. Lara has 34 Test centuries and 48 Half-Centuries against his name. Notably, Lara holds the record of the highest individual score by any batsman in the history of International Cricket as he had once smashed a terrific 400* innings in his career.
8) Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul is another stellar Caribbean batsman who was known for his unique stance. Chanderpaul has succeeded in scoring paramount Test runs as he amassed 11,867 runs in 164 Test matches. Consistency defines Chanderpaul as he has scored with an average of 51.37. He has powered 30 Test centuries and 66 Half-Centuries along with a highest score of 203*.
9) Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has been an effective leader and a dependable batsman. Jayawardene has scored 11,814 runs in 149 Test matches with an average of 49.84. Jayawardene has smashed 34 Test Centuries and 50 Half-Centuries in his splendid career. He has a scintillating highest score of 374 runs and is known to produce the finest Test innings through exquisite shots.
10) Joe Root (England)
Legendary batsman Joe Root sums up the list of the Most Test Runs by any batsman in the history of Test cricket. Root has garnered 11416 runs in 135 Test matches at an average of 50.29. Joe Root has 30 Test centuries and 66 Half-Centuries against his name along with a highest score of 203. Border has maintained his significant legacy in the history of Australian Test cricket. Allan Border is 242 runs short of Joe Root’s tally of 11416 runs. The prolific batter has ended as the most capped & leading run-scorer for Australia in both Tests & ODIs. His Australian record for Test Match runs stood for 15 years before Ricky Ponting overtook him during the Third Ashes Test against England in July 2009.
Apart from Root, the other incumbent batsmen who can storm in the list are Australia’s Steve Smith (9514), India’s Virat Kohli (8,848), and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (8,263).
These are the top 10 batsmen who have scored a plethora of runs in Test format. They have set a legacy for the youngsters to follow. These batsmen have achieved a place for themselves in the longest format of cricket which is a benchmark for youngsters to breach.
Also read, “My goal is to play 100 Tests for India”- Ajinkya Rahane
