Test cricket has seen some legendary performances over the years, with batsmen breaking records and accumulating massive totals. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Players with Most Runs in Test History, where each of these players has etched their name in the cricketing record books for scoring the Most Test Runs.
List of the Batsmen with Most Test Runs
10. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Mahela Jayawardene completes the top 10 with 11,814 runs in 149 Test matches. He has 34 centuries and 50 fifties, with an average of 49.84, securing his place among the batsmen with the Most Test Runs in cricket history.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahela Jayawardene | 149 | 252 | 11,814 | 374* | 34 | 50 | 49.84 |
ALSO READ:
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 11,867 runs in 164 Tests, with 30 centuries and 66 fifties. His average of 51.37 places him among the best in the list of Most Test Runs, and his contribution to West Indies cricket is legendary.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 164 | 280 | 11,867 | 203* | 30 | 66 | 51.37 |
8. Brian Lara (West Indies)
Brian Lara, the record-holder for the highest individual score in Test cricket, scored 11,953 runs in 131 Tests. He hit 34 centuries and 48 fifties, with an average of 52.88, making him one of the most prolific batsmen in the history of Test cricket.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Lara | 131 | 232 | 11,953 | 400* | 34 | 48 | 52.88 |
7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the most elegant batsmen to play Test cricket, scoring 12,400 runs in 134 matches. With 38 centuries and 52 fifties, he has a remarkable average of 57.40, ranking him among the all-time greats in Most Test Runs.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | 134 | 233 | 12,400 | 319 | 38 | 52 | 57.40 |
6. Alastair Cook (England)
Alastair Cook, one of England’s greatest, scored 12,472 runs in 161 Tests. He has 33 centuries and 57 fifties, maintaining an average of 45.35. Cook’s consistency over many years makes him one of the top players with the Most Test Runs in history.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alastair Cook | 161 | 291 | 12,472 | 294* | 33 | 57 | 45.35 |
5. Joe Root (England)
Joe Root has accumulated 12,972 runs in 152 Test matches, with 36 centuries and 65 fifties. His highest score is 262, and his average stands at 50.87. Root continues to add to his tally and solidifies his place among the Most Test Runs leaders.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | 152 | 278 | 12,972 | 262 | 36 | 65 | 50.87 |
4. Rahul Dravid (India)
Rahul Dravid, known as the “Wall” of Indian cricket, scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. His highest score is 270, and he has 36 centuries and 50 fifties, with an average of 52.31. Dravid’s immense contribution with the bat made him one of the most reliable Test players.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahul Dravid | 164 | 286 | 13,288 | 270 | 36 | 50 | 52.31 |
3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis, one of the best all-rounders, ranks third with 13,289 runs in 166 Tests. His highest score of 224, along with 45 centuries and 58 fifties, makes him one of the most prolific run-scorers in Test cricket, boasting an average of 55.37.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacques Kallis | 166 | 280 | 13,289 | 224 | 45 | 58 | 55.37 |
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ricky Ponting is second on the list of Most Test Runs, scoring 13,378 runs in 168 Tests. His highest score is 257, with 41 centuries and 62 fifties. Ponting’s average of 51.85 speaks volumes about his consistency and mastery over the format.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting | 168 | 287 | 13,378 | 257 | 41 | 62 | 51.85 |
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the Most Test Runs in history, with an astonishing 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches. His highest score is 248*, and he has scored 51 centuries and 68 fifties, maintaining an average of 53.78. Tendulkar’s career spanned over two decades, making him the undisputed king of Test runs.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 329 | 15,921 | 248* | 51 | 68 | 53.78 |
These players have not only accumulated the Most Test Runs but have also made remarkable contributions to their teams, creating memories for cricket fans worldwide. Their ability to consistently perform in the longest format of the game is what sets them apart as legends of Test cricket.
READ MORE:
