
Sachin Tendulkar of India tops the list of most fifties in test cricket. In 200 test matches, he has scored 68 half-centuries and 51 centuries at an average of 53.78. He is followed by South African legend Jacques Kallis who has scored 58 half-centuries and 45 centuries at an average of 45.97 in 166 test matches. Former Australian captain and batsman Ricky Ponting is ranked third on the list of most 50s in test cricket. In 168 matches he scored 62 half-centuries and 41 centuries at an average of 58.72.
There are only 12 players who have scored more than 50 half-centuries in test cricket. These players are from countries like India, South Africa, Australia, England, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
There are 3 players each from India and Australia who have scored more than 50 half-centuries in test cricket. From India – Sachin Tendulkar (68), Rahul Dravid (63), and VVS Laxman (56). From Australia – Ricky Ponting (62), Alan Border – (63), and Steve Waugh (50). Then, there are 2 players each from Sri Lanka and England. From Sri Lanka – Kumar Sangakkara (52) and Mahela Jayawardene (50). From England – Alaister Cook (57) and Joe Root (58). There is 1 player each from South Africa and West Indies. From South Africa – Jacques Kallis – (58) and West Indies – Shivnarine Chanderpaul (66).
S No. | Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s | Strike Rate |
1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 200 | 15921 | 248* | 53.78 | 51 | 68 | 54.04 |
2 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 166 | 13289 | 224 | 55.37 | 45 | 58 | 45.97 |
3 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 168 | 13378 | 257 | 51.85 | 41 | 62 | 58.72 |
4 | Rahul Dravid | India | 164 | 13288 | 270 | 52.31 | 36 | 63 | 42.51 |
5 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies. | 164 | 11867 | 203* | 51.37 | 30 | 66 | 43.31 |
6 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 134 | 12400 | 319 | 57.4 | 38 | 52 | 54.19 |
7 | Alan Border | Australia | 156 | 11174 | 205 | 50.56 | 27 | 63 | 41.09 |
8 | Alaister Cook | England | 161 | 12472 | 294 | 45.35 | 33 | 57 | 46.95 |
9 | Joe Root | England | 131* | 11122 | 254 | 50.78 | 30 | 58 | 56.41 |
10 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 149 | 11814 | 374 | 49.84 | 34 | 50 | 51.45 |
11 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 131 | 11953 | 400* | 52.88 | 34 | 48 | 60.51 |
12 | Steve Waugh | Australia | 168 | 10927 | 200 | 51.06 | 32 | 50 | 48.64 |
13 | Sunil Gavaskar | India | 125 | 10122 | 236* | 51.12 | 34 | 45 | 43.35 |
14 | VVS Laxman | India | 134 | 8781 | 281 | 45.97 | 17 | 56 | 49.37 |
15 | Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 120 | 8830 | 329 | 49.6 | 25 | 46 | 54.02 |
16 | Vivian Richards | West Indies. | 121 | 8540 | 291 | 50.23 | 24 | 45 | 69.77 |
17 | Hashim Amla | South Africa | 124 | 9282 | 311* | 46.64 | 28 | 41 | 49.97 |
18 | Steven Smith | Australia | 98* | 8963 | 239 | 59.75 | 31 | 37 | 53.71 |
19 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 114 | 8765 | 278* | 50.66 | 22 | 46 | 54.51 |
20 | Ian Bell | England | 118 | 7727 | 235 | 42.69 | 22 | 46 | 49.46 |
21 | Mark Waugh | Australia | 128 | 8029 | 153* | 41.81 | 20 | 47 | 52.27 |
22 | Younis Khan | Pakistan | 118 | 10099 | 313 | 52.05 | 34 | 33 | 52.12 |
23 | Javed Miandad | Pakistan | 124 | 8832 | 280* | 52.57 | 23 | 43 | 45.99 |
24 | Graham Gooch | England | 118 | 8900 | 333 | 42.58 | 20 | 46 | 49.23 |
25 | Graeme Smith | South Africa | 117 | 9265 | 277 | 48.25 | 27 | 38 | 59.67 |
26 | Geoffrey Boycott | England | 108 | 8114 | 246* | 47.72 | 22 | 42 | 35.69 |
27 | Michael Atherton | England | 115 | 7728 | 185* | 37.69 | 16 | 46 | 37.49 |
28 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 94 | 8124 | 251 | 54.89 | 28 | 33 | 51.46 |
29 | Colin Cowdrey | England | 114 | 7624 | 182 | 44.06 | 22 | 38 | 37.45 |
30 | Alec Stewart | England | 133 | 8463 | 190 | 39.54 | 15 | 45 | 48.66 |
FAQs
1. Which player has the record for most 50s in test cricket?
Former Indian opener also known as the ‘God of cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar has the record for most ’50s in test cricket – 68.
2. Which batsman has the best average on the list?
Former Australian captain Steven Smith has the best average on the list – 59.75.
3. Which batsman has the best Strike Rate on the list?
Vivian Richards of West Indies has the best strike rate on the above list.
4. Which is the only New Zealand batsman to feature on the list?
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is the only Kiwi player to feature on the list of most 50s in test cricket – 33.