Batsmen with Most Double Centuries in Test Cricket

Jan 11, 2019 at 1:11 PM

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Batsmen with Most Double Centuries in Test Cricket

Most double centuries in Test cricket is one of the finest ingredients batsmen have had literally tasted in the traditional format. After the inception of the game in England, Australian Billy Murdoch created history to become the first-ever batsman to smash a magnificent double hundred in the Test set-up. Overall, in the 16th Test match, Murdoch achieved the feat against England at The Oval in 1884. Batsmen with most double centuries in Test cricket include some former veterans who made things hard for the bowlers.

Earlier, the highest-ever Test score by a player in an innings came in 1877 which came from the bat of Australian Charles Bannerman. Bannerman smashed unbeaten 165 against James Lillywhite Jnr-led England before walking off retired hurt.

With modern-day batters at the helm, it becomes doubly interesting with each passing Test match. Likewise, batting giant is marching on in the list owing to his consistency and urge to score runs.

However, there were many players with plenty of fortune before going past the 200-run mark in the Test fold.

Test cricket is also about facing the body blows and to earn the prize for sheer hardwork literally. Over the years, even best in the business with the bat have had been tested before they could dictate terms in their own domain.

Here’s the list of batsmen with most double hundred in Test cricket:

  1. Don Bradman- Australia – 12 200’s:

Witnessing the full face of a blade has always left many impressed and such was the daily show of none other than Sir Donald Bradman. While having the staggering numbers on his back, Bradman was also known as ‘The Don’ in the cricketing circles.

Veteran cricketer of Australia, Bradman, who represented his country between 1928 and 1948, scored 6,996 Test runs at an astounding average of 99.94. He played 52 Tests for Australia which further saw him smashing 12 double hundred in 80 Test innings.  He scored most double centuries in Test cricket history.

Also, Bradman had 29 tons and 13 fifties to his name with his highest-ever score reading 334 which came against England at Leeds in 1930.

  1. Kumar Sangakkara- Sri Lanka – 11 200’s:

Having the great control to tackle bowlers on any of the surfaces, Kumar Sangakkara is one name that has given satisfactory results to his nation. During his significant Test career, Sangakkara had the knack of converting hundreds into double hundreds.

The enigmatic southpaw Sangakkara, who played ball according to its merit left opponents frustrated.

The star cricketer from the Island nation represented his country in overall 134 Tests. He scored 12,400 runs at the average of 57.40.

However, in 233 innings Sangakkara also bowed out of Test cricket with 11 double hundreds to become second overall batsman most double centuries in Test cricket.

  1. Brian Lara- Sri Lanka – 9 200’s:

The Windies great Brian Lara had an impressive approach to thwart any of the threats. Lara’s USP has been his knack of player more extended sessions to pile-up miseries for his opponents on the field.

In 131 Tests for the Caribbean nation, Lara registered 11,953 at the average of 52.88. He is listed third on the list of players with most double centuries in Test cricket.

Known for his box-office show, Lara smashed nine double hundreds in 232 Test innings. He is third on the list of batsmen with most double centuries in Test cricket

  1. Wally Hammond- England – 7 200’s:

Legendary Wally Hammond, who represented England Cricket Team between 1927 and 1947, had a remarkable outing for the Three Lions during his tenure.

Hammond played 85 Tests for England in which he amassed 7,249 runs at an impressive batting average of 58.45. He smashed 22 hundreds and 24 fifties in 140 Test innings.

On the list of most double hundreds in Test career, Hammond is placed fourth amongst the batsmen with most double centuries in Test cricket. He has smashed seven double tons during his entire Test career.

  1. Mahela Jayawardene- Sri Lanka – 7 200’s:

Coming right behind the ball, Mahela Jayawardene has been an epitome of success in the Test fold.

Having the urge to play a significant role in his team’s success, Jayawardene marshalled his troops from the front. Beyond the aggressive mind frame, Jayawardene maintained his calm and composed nature to go down as one of the stalwarts of the game.

In his 149 Tests, Jayawardene scored 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84. He smashed seven double hundreds in overall 252 Test innings. Jayawardene is listed fifth among the batsmen with most double centuries in Test cricket.

His significant contribution to the team came alongside his former teammate and wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

  1. Virat Kohli- India – 6 200’s:

Animated as ever across formats Virat Kohli has taken the game by storm. Solid with his technique, Kohli had scored runs with ease before being widely acclaimed for his grit and consistency.

The 29-year-old Kohli, who is leading Team India, had done wonders in the Test set-up. In 127 Tests innings of 75 Tests, Kohli scored 6491 runs at an average of 54.54.

So far, he had amassed six double hundreds in his seven-year-long ongoing Test career to become sixth overall among the batsmen with most double centuries in Test cricket. He made his Test debut in 2011 against the Windies at Kingston.

  1. Marvan Atapattu:

Former Sri Lanka National Cricket Team skipper Marvan Atapattu is placed seventh on the list of cricketers with most double centuries in the Test circuit.

While playing the energy-sapping format, Atapattu’s consistency during his tenure—to bail out Sri Lanka sets him apart.

While representing Sri Lanka for 17 years in the Test fold, Atapattu played 90 Tests in which he amassed 5,502 runs at an average of 39.02. He smashed six double Test hundred in 156 Test innings.

  1. Virender Sehwag- India – 6 200’s:

To be honest, it would have been injustice with such kind of a batsman on missing the top ten list of players with most double centuries in Test format.

Having an attacking instinct, Virender Sehwag equally used his brain to shoulder the responsibility. And we all know to face the fresh cherry trouble batters early on.

Sehwag, who had been a vital cog in the wheel for the Indian National Cricket Team during his international career, eventually reaped the rewards for his determination.

Sehwag smashed six double hundreds in 104 Tests. Moreover, he had amassed 8586 runs in 180 Test innings at an average of 49.34.

  1. Javed Miandad- Pakistan – 6 200’s:

One of the greats Pakistan has ever produced includes veteran Javed Miandad. Miandad represented Pakistan in 124 Tests to amass 8832 runs at an average of 52.57. He featured in 189 Test innings before smashing 23 hundreds and 43 fifties.

Having the urge to score big for his nation, Miandad has backed himself to entertain his die-hard fans in particular. He has registered six double centuries between 1976 and 1993 before hanging his boots.

  1. Younis Khan- Pakistan – 6 200’s:

Younis Khan during his Test stint had faced some trouble but being a tough character, he faced an ordeal to strengthen himself further.

A prominent figure in Pakistan’s fold, Younis represented Pakistan for over 17-years in the Test circuit which eventually saw him participating in 118 Tests.

In 213 Test innings, Younis amassed 10099 runs to become highest Test run-getter for Pakistan eventually.

Likewise, Miandad, Younis also garnered six double centuries to extend his fan base.

Table for the batsmen with most double centuries in Test cricket:

Serial No. Player Name Matches Innings 200s
1 DG Bradman (AUS) 52 80 12
2 KC Sangakkara (SL) 134 233 11
3 BC Lara (ICC/WI) 131 232 9
4 WR Hammond (ENG) 85 140 7
5 DPMD Jayawardene (SL) 149 252 7
6 V Kohli (INDIA) 75 127 6
7 MS Atapattu (SL) 90 156 6
8 V Sehwag (ICC/INDIA) 104 180 6
9 Javed Miandad (PAK) 124 189 6
10 Younis Khan (PAK) 118 213 6
11 RT Ponting (AUS) 168 287 6
12 SR Tendulkar (INDIA) 200 329 6
13 GC Smith (ICC/SA) 117 205 5
14 R Dravid (ICC/INDIA) 164 286 5
15 AN Cook (ENG) 161 291 5
16 Zaheer Abbas (PAK) 78 124 4
17 L Hutton (ENG) 79 138 4
18 GS Chappell (AUS) 87 151 4
19 Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) 90 156 4
20 BB McCullum (NZ) 101 176 4
21 CG Greenidge (WI) 108 185 4
22 MJ Clarke (AUS) 115 198 4
23 HM Amla (SA) 119 205 4
24 SM Gavaskar (INDIA) 125 214 4
25 CA Pujara (INDIA) 66 110 3
26 RB Simpson (AUS) 62 111 3
27 Azhar Ali (PAK) 70 133 3
28 G Kirsten (SA) 101 176 3
29 KP Pietersen (ENG) 104 181 3
30 CH Gayle (WI) 103 182 3
31 JL Langer (AUS) 105 182 3
32 IVA Richards (WI) 121 182 3
33 ST Jayasuriya (SL) 110 188 3
34 SP Fleming (NZ) 111 189 3

*The stats (most double centuries in Test cricket) were updated on December 16, 2018.

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