Most Runs in Test
Test Cricket is the oldest format of the game. The first Test ever was played between England and Australia in 1877 in Melbourne Cricket Stadium. Test Cricket is certainly not an easy format to play. It tests your ability as a player physically as well as mentally. Test Cricket, over the years, has been witnessed to some great games. We have seen a lot of outstanding knocks as well as memorable spells from the players across the world.
There is no denying that it’s not easy to survive in Test Cricket, let alone dominating the format. Perhaps, that is what differentiates world-class talents from the ordinary ones. They work hard day in and day out to keep themselves at the top of their game.
In this article, we will be taking about five such world-class batsmen who ruled Test Cricket. They defied all odds to score a plethora of runs during their Test Cricket career.
On that note, we look at the top 5 batsmen with the most runs in Test Cricket.
#5 Alastair Cook (Runs 12472, 161 Matches)
Alastair Cook has the most runs by any English batsman in Test Cricket. He is one of the most prolific run-scorers for England and the fifth-highest run-scorer of all-time in Test Cricket. In 161 Test appearances, Cook has scored 12472 runs at an average of 45.35. He has notched 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries for England in Test Cricket.
Post the announcement of Andrew Strauss’ retirement from Test Cricket, Alastair Cook was handed over the captaincy of the England Test team.
#4 Rahul Dravid (Runs 13288, 164 Matches)
Best known as the Wall of Indian Cricket, Rahul Dravid was born to play Test Cricket. His game was ideally suited to play the longest format of the game. With is a solid technique and outstanding temperament, he would make often bring the opposition attack to its knees. Rahul Dravid holds some of the most awe-inspiring records in Test Cricket.
He sits at the number four position in the list of most runs in Test Cricket. Dravid has played 164 matches in Test Cricket, scoring 13288 runs at an outstanding average of 52.31. Dravid has 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries to his name in Test Cricket. He notched his highest score of 270 runs of his Test Cricket career against Pakistan in 2004.
#3 Jacques Kallis (Runs 13289, 166 Matches)
Years have passed by and South Africa still looks to find an ideal replacement for Jacques Kallis in their team. Kallis is undoubtedly the best all-rounder to have played for South Africa. He was one of the best assets for South Africa across formats during his international cricket career.
Kallis has scored tons of runs for South Africa in both ODIs and Tests. As far as his numbers in Test Cricket are concerned, Kallis has scored 13289 runs in 166 matches at an average of 55.37. He has 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries to his name in his Test cricket career.
He notched his highest score in Test cricket against Sri Lanka in 2012. He amassed 224 runs off 325 balls, helping his team post a mammoth total of 580 runs in the first innings. South Africa won that Test by 10 wickets. The South African all-rounder currently has the third most runs in his Test Cricket carer.
#2 Ricky Ponting (Runs 13378, 168 Matches)
When it comes to winning percentage as captain in world cricket, there’s no one who has gone past Ricky Ponting. The former Australian skipper is the only captain to have three world cup titles to his name. He led a team that was once called invincible in world cricket.
There haven’t been many series where Ricky Ponting failed with the bat during his international cricket career. His numbers in Test Cricket is nothing short of outstanding. He has played 168 matches in Test Cricket, scoring 13378 runs at an average of 51.85.
He has hit 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries in his international cricket career. In the year 2003 against India, Ricky Ponting notched his highest score in Test Cricket. He scored 257 runs off 458 deliveries at Melbourne Cricket Stadium.
#1 Sachin Tendulkar (Runs 15921, 200 Matches)
Popularly known as the master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar is hailed as arguably the best batsmen ever to play the game of cricket, irrespective of the formats. He ruled the cricket world for more than two decades and dominated every bowler which he faced during his international career.
Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most number of runs in Test Cricket in the world. In 200 matches, Sachin Tendulkar has scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.78. He notched as many as 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries during his Test Cricket career. Against Bangladesh in Dhaka, he scored his highest ever score of 248 runs of his Test Cricket career.
Sachin Tendulkar made his debut in Test Cricket against Pakistan in 1989, while he played his Test match against West Indies in 2013.
