most runs in test cricket

Test cricket is the purest format of the game, and it is an acid ‘test’ in every sense for every cricketer, as one has to be resilient, patient, confident, and ooze class to excel in this format of the game.

A batter who does well in this format of the game is definitely considered a class player. Over the years, many batsmen have proved their mettle and stood tall in this version of the game. 

Following is the list of the top 10 Players with the most runs in Test cricket:

Sl. No.NameCountrySpanMatchesInningsTotal RunsAverage
1Sachin TendulkarIndia1989-20132003291592153.78
2Ricky PontingAustralia1995-20121682871337851.85
3Jacques KallisSouth Africa1995-20131662801328955.37
4Rahul DravidIndia1996-20121642861328852.31
5Alaister CookEngland2006-20181612911247245.35
6Kumar SangakkaraSri Lanka2000-20151342331240057.40
7Brian LaraWest Indies1990-20061312321195352.88
8Shivnarine ChanderpaulWest Indies1994-20151642801186751.37
9Mahela JayawardeneSri Lanka1997-20141492521181449.84
10Allan BorderAustralia1978-19941562651117450.56

The list is not all, here are some more interesting facts related to each of the 10 elite batsmen mentioned in the above list-

1. Sachin Tendulkar

most runs in test cricket

The ‘God of Cricket’, the ‘Master Blaster’ simply had to take the 1st place. Sachin has piled up a mammoth 15,000 plus Test Cricket runs at a massive average of almost 54, scoring as many as 51 hundred, which is the most by any cricketer. In addition to most runs in test cricket, Sachin has played the most number of Test matches in the history of cricket.

2. Ricky Ponting

90s kids used to believe Ponting has ‘spring in his bats’, such was the dominance of Ponting! With over 13,000 runs at an average of over 50, Ponting is the 2nd leading run scorer in Test Cricket to date. He has also scored 41 centuries including a century in each of the 4 innings in Test Cricket.

Read: 10 Most Successful Captains in Test Cricket – 2022

3. Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis is arguably the best all-rounder cricket has ever seen, and the batting prowess of this South African legend can be derived from the fact that he is the 3rd player with the most runs in Test cricket to date with a humongous average of over 55 and over 13,000 runs. He was Mr. Dependable for the Proteas.

4. Rahul Dravid

Speaking of Mr. Dependable, one cannot simply look past ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid! Known for his unmatched patience and resilience, Dravid piled up 13,288 Test runs, which is just 1 run short of Jacques Kallis! Dravid is one of the all-time greats in Test Cricket, in fact, his perseverance was so strong that all-time great Steve Waugh once said “Try to take his wicket in the first 15 minutes if you can’t then only try to take the remaining wickets”.

5. Alaister Cook

Cook is one of the finest red ball cricketers for England, and along with his great captaincy skills, he used to be an asset for the English Test squad. He holds the record of playing the most consecutive number of Test matches for a team, with 159 matches. For his exploits in the longest and testing version of the game, he has received a Knighthood, and hence is called ‘Sir Alaister Cook‘.

6. Kumar Sangakkara

Speaking of the best wicketkeeper batsmen in cricket’s history, Kumar Sangakkara is right up there. Sangakkara, with an average of 57.40, has the best average among the top 10 highest run scorers in Test Cricket to date which speaks volumes about this legendary left-handed batsman. 

7. Brian Lara

Brian Lara, the man whose first bat was shaped of a coconut branch, owns the record of the highest individual score in Test Cricket or international cricket in history with a 400 not out innings and ranks 7th in the list of highest run-getters in Test cricket. Lara, who has used 34 Test hundreds used to be a run machine, and everyone used to keep him and Sachin on the same page due to their sheer brilliance with the bat.

8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Chanderpaul used to have the most unique batting stance, and the stickers beneath his eye lines were also used to catch the attention of cricket lovers all around the world. But what mattered more was his on-field exploits with the bat. Chanderpaul used to be a real concern for his opponents, and his figures of over 11,000 runs at an average of 51.37 are proof.

9. Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara used to be partners in crime. The duo together used to be a nightmare for the bowlers. Jayawardene succeeded handsomely as a Test player having represented his national side on 149 occasions and scoring over 11,000 runs along with 34 centuries to his credit. 

10. Allan Border

Australia’s World Cup winning captain Allan Donald wraps up this elite list of top 10 highest run scorers in Test cricket with 11174 runs at an average of 50.56 to his credit. He also holds the record for 2nd most consecutive matches for a team in Test cricket, which stands at 153, and the most consecutive matches as captain of a Test team with 93 matches. 

That’s all about the top 10 players with the Most Runs in Test Cricket to date.

FAQs on Most Runs in Test Cricket

  1. Who has played the most number of Test matches?
  • Sachin Tendulkar has played the most number of Test matches (200).
  1. Who has scored the most runs in Test cricket?
  • Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most number of runs in Test cricket (15921 runs).
  1. Who has scored the most hundreds in Test cricket?
  • Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most number of hundreds in Test cricket (51).
  1. Who has played the most consecutive number of matches in Test cricket?
  • Alaister Cook has played the most consecutive number of Test matches (159 matches).
  1. Who has hit the most number of sixes in Test cricket?
  • Brendon McCullum has hit the most number of sixes in Test cricket (107 sixes).

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