Batsmen with Most Runs in Test Cricket

Jan 11, 2019 at 9:16 PM

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Batsmen with Most Runs in Test Cricket

Often, Test cricket is considered an epitome of patience, resistance and belligerence in many possible ways. Over the decades, the traditional format has left an indelible mark. And for professionals on the field, it eventually takes those grueling years to get etched into memories. Moreover, players with most runs in Test cricket also had to face a torrid time during their respective careers in the traditional fold.

With consistency being one of the main aspects to succeed on the cricketing field, the veteran cricketers had further graced one season after another.

Likewise, it has often been hard for teams to win away series, but with the time, the teams are learning the trait well by dictating the terms.

With the establishing voices in the commentary box, the Test cricket has further generated interest among many former cricketers to try a hand in analyzing the game.

By weaving the magic with their respective knocks, players have had shown the courage, intensity to bail out teams of any precarious situation.

Scoring runs and that too in Test cricket has been always an intriguing chapter in such a classic format. And the unconditional love for the Test fold has kept its mission stronger than ever with every passing season.

Here’s the list of players with most runs in Test cricket:

  1. Sachin Tendulkar:

Some character with the bat Sachin Tendulkar has had set various enticing examples of being bold and equally brave to weather the storm.

The batting great Tendulkar himself featured in 200 Test matches for Team India which in itself is a massive achievement for a cricketer who stayed away for quite a time owing to multiple injuries.

In 329 Test innings, God Of Cricket Tendulkar garnered 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. By the first look, it might seem pretty straightforward but remind yourself for a brief moment of walking in his shoes. Wouldn’t it look like a mountain to climb? Exactly, that’s my point.

  1. Ricky Ponting:

Veteran Australian National Cricket Team captain Ricky Ponting had amassed 13,378 runs before announcing his retirement from Test cricket.

Listed second on the list of players with most Test runs, Ponting represented Australia in 168 Tests. He scored 13,000-odd runs at an average of 51.85 in 287 Test innings.

The exquisite timer of the ball, Ponting goes down as one of the premium Test batters across the globe. An inspiration for many youngsters, Ponting’s rich vein of form had also kept Australia at the top.

  1. Jacques Kallis:

On every occasion, Jacques Kallis should be in the all-time favorite list for his consistency and exceptional skills to adapt according to the situation.

Amicable in his nature, Kallis had delivered goods for South Africa with his sheer brilliance. The man of few words had been the center of attraction while talking with the bat and ball as well.

In 166 Test outings, Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37. He further went out to bat in 280 Test innings for the Proteas. Also, he represented the world cricket governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) team as well.

  1. Rahul Dravid:

Gritty in his approach, Rahul Dravid many-a-times had steadied the ship. Former Team India batsman Dravid had grabbed many eyeballs f0r his deterrence and composure to neutralize any threat on his given day.

The right-hander played some significant innings for Indian National Cricket Team before walking off as one of the stalwarts of the game.

Karnataka-based star amassed 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31 in 286 Test innings.

He bids adieu to the traditional cricket after playing his 164th Test match.

  1. Alastair Cook:

Alastair Cook might have struggled at the fag end of his exciting Test career, but he had already achieved to boast about. Clinical in his procedure, Cook had left a significant impact in the English cricket before becoming leading Test scorer from England.

Owing to an enigma, Cook put an onus on himself to fetch results. He represented the Three Lions in 161 Tests before bowing out at The Oval Oval. In his last Test, he smashed 147 against India to make it a more cherishable moment of his life.

Cook scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35 in 291 Test innings.

  1. Kumar Sangakkara:

Pleasing for the eyes, Sri Lanka National Cricket Team’s Kumar Sangakkara’s shot selection has further left many in awe. Known for playing longer innings, Sangakkara rendered services to his Island nation in all possible ways.

Often than not, the southpaw had enjoyed a remarkable run with the bat. He registered 12,400 runs in his 134 Tests. Sangakkara amassed those runs at the staggering average of 57.4 in 233 Test innings. And this is some feat.

  1. Brian Lara:

With traditional format witnessing some of the greats, Brian Charles Lara was no exception. Having the intent to score runs at pace, Lara further had a knack of piercing the gaps.

With many having the liking for Lara’s batting dominance, he walked in to celebrate in his own way.

Lara in total scored 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88 in 232 innings off 131 Test matches. Lara is one of the Windies batsmen with most runs in Test cricket.

  1. Shivnarine Chanderpaul:

Another Windies veteran is in the list in the form of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Elegant in his nature, Chanderpaul has made a significant contribution to the Caribbean team during his entire career. Chanderpaul is eighth overall on the leader board with most runs in Test cricket.

The left-handed batsman Chanderpaul scored 11,867 runs at an average of 51.37 in 280 Test innings. While representing the Windies in 164 Tests, Chanderpaul had won many accolades for his resilience.

Even after announcing his retirement from the international cricket, Chanderpaul continues his ascendancy in the first-class cricket alongside his son Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

  1. Mahela Jayawardene:

Mahela Jayawardene as an astute leader reaped the rewards for Sri Lanka amid his run spree. He is ninth on the list with most runs in Test cricket

Known for his immaculate approach, Jayawardene represented Sri Lanka between 1997 and 2017.

During his stay with the national team, Jayawardene scored 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84 in 149 Tests which comprised of 252 innings. He also registered 34 hundred and 50 fifties while donning the whites for the Island nation.

Jayawardene, who has been a bit more articulate further, played a massive hand in Sri Lanka’s success during his tenure as a leader.

  1. Allan Border:

It would be satisfying for a player like Allan Border to look back at his stupendous Test career only to feel proud. He is among the batsmen who scored most runs in Test cricket.

Former Australia skipper had been remarkable in his approach only to see the bright side of the things. With an aggressive sort of nature, Border made things ridiculously easy.

Prominent Australian cricketer, Border amassed 11,174 runs in 265 Test innings after featuring in his 156th overall Test.

He also had 27 tons and 63 half-centuries to his name. Also, Border is considered as one of the best leaders Australia had in the national fold.

Batsmen with most runs in Test cricket

Serial No. Player Matches Innings Total Runs Average
1 SR Tendulkar (INDIA) 200 329 15921 53.78
2 RT Ponting (AUS) 168 287 13378 51.85
3 JH Kallis (ICC/SA) 166 280 13289 55.37
4 R Dravid (ICC/INDIA) 164 286 13288 52.31
5 AN Cook (ENG) 161 291 12472 45.35
6 KC Sangakkara (SL) 134 233 12400 57.4
7 BC Lara (ICC/WI) 131 232 11953 52.88
8 S Chanderpaul (WI) 164 280 11867 51.37
9 DPMD Jayawardene (SL) 149 252 11814 49.84
10 AR Border (AUS) 156 265 11174 50.56
11 SR Waugh (AUS) 168 260 10927 51.06
12 SM Gavaskar (INDIA) 125 214 10122 51.12
13 Younis Khan (PAK) 118 213 10099 52.05
14 GC Smith (ICC/SA) 117 205 9265 48.25
15 HM Amla (SA) 119 205 9022 47.23
16 GA Gooch (ENG) 118 215 8900 42.58
17 Javed Miandad (PAK) 124 189 8832 52.57
18 Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/PAK) 120 200 8830 49.6
19 VVS Laxman (INDIA) 134 225 8781 45.97
20 AB de Villiers (SA) 114 191 8765 50.66
21 MJ Clarke (AUS) 115 198 8643 49.1
22 ML Hayden (AUS) 103 184 8625 50.73
23 V Sehwag (ICC/INDIA) 104 180 8586 49.34
24 IVA Richards (WI) 121 182 8540 50.23
25 AJ Stewart (ENG) 133 235 8463 39.54
26 DI Gower (ENG) 117 204 8231 44.25
27 KP Pietersen (ENG) 104 181 8181 47.28
28 G Boycott (ENG) 108 193 8114 47.72
29 GS Sobers (WI) 93 160 8032 57.78
30 ME Waugh (AUS) 128 209 8029 41.81
31 MA Atherton (ENG) 115 212 7728 37.69
32 IR Bell (ENG) 118 205 7727 42.69
33 JL Langer (AUS) 105 182 7696 45.27
34 MC Cowdrey (ENG) 114 188 7624 44.06
35 CG Greenidge (WI) 108 185 7558 44.72
36 Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) 90 156 7530 52.29
37 MA Taylor (AUS) 104 186 7525 43.49
38 CH Lloyd (WI) 110 175 7515 46.67
39 DL Haynes (WI) 116 202 7487 42.29
40 DC Boon (AUS) 107 190 7422 43.65
41 G Kirsten (SA) 101 176 7289 45.27
42 WR Hammond (ENG) 85 140 7249 58.45
43 CH Gayle (WI) 103 182 7214 42.18
44 SC Ganguly (INDIA) 113 188 7212 42.17
45 SP Fleming (NZ) 111 189 7172 40.06
46 GS Chappell (AUS) 87 151 7110 53.86
47 AJ Strauss (ENG) 100 178 7037 40.91
48 DG Bradman (AUS) 52 80 6996 99.94
49 ST Jayasuriya (SL) 110 188 6973 40.07
50 L Hutton (ENG) 79 138 6971 56.67
51 DB Vengsarkar (INDIA) 116 185 6868 42.13
52 KF Barrington (ENG) 82 131 6806 58.67
53 GP Thorpe (ENG) 100 179 6744 44.66
54 JE Root (ENG) 77 141 6508 50.44
55 BB McCullum (NZ) 101 176 6453 38.64
56 LRPL Taylor (NZ) 89* 158 6406 46.08
57 V Kohli (INDIA) 75* 127 6405 54.27
58 DA Warner (AUS) 74 137 6363 48.2
59 PA de Silva (SL) 93 159 6361 42.97
60 MEK Hussey (AUS) 79 137 6235 51.52
61 RB Kanhai (WI) 79 137 6227 47.53
62 M Azharuddin (INDIA) 99 147 6215 45.03
63 SPD Smith (AUS) 64 117 6199 61.37
64 HH Gibbs (SA) 90 154 6167 41.95
65 RN Harvey (AUS) 79 137 6149 48.41
66 GR Viswanath (INDIA) 91 155 6080 41.93
67 RB Richardson (WI) 86 146 5949 44.39
68 RR Sarwan (WI) 87 154 5842 40.01
69 ME Trescothick (ENG) 76 143 5825 43.79
70 DCS Compton (ENG) 78 131 5807 50.06
71 Saleem Malik (PAK) 103 154 5768 43.69
72 N Hussain (ENG) 96 171 5764 37.18
73 CL Hooper (WI) 102 173 5762 36.46
74 KS Williamson (NZ) 69* 122 5724 51.56
75 MP Vaughan (ENG) 82 147 5719 41.44
76 Azhar Ali (PAK) 70 133 5610 44.88
77 AC Gilchrist (AUS) 96 137 5570 47.6
78 MV Boucher (ICC/SA) 147 206 5515 30.3
79 MS Atapattu (SL) 90 156 5502 39.02
80 TM Dilshan (SL) 87 145 5492 40.98
81 TT Samaraweera (SL) 81 132 5462 48.76
82 MD Crowe (NZ) 77 131 5444 45.36
83 JB Hobbs (ENG) 61 102 5410 56.94
84 AD Mathews (SL) 79* 141 5379 43.37
85 KD Walters (AUS) 74 125 5357 48.26
86 IM Chappell (AUS) 75 136 5345 42.42
87 JG Wright (NZ) 82 148 5334 37.82
88 MJ Slater (AUS) 74 131 5312 42.83
89 N Kapil Dev (INDIA) 131 184 5248 31.05
90 WM Lawry (AUS) 67 123 5234 47.15
91 Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) 75 132 5222 46.62
92 IT Botham (ENG) 102 161 5200 33.54
93 JH Edrich (ENG) 77 127 5138 43.54
94 CA Pujara (INDIA) 66* 110 5122 50.71
95 A Ranatunga (SL) 93 155 5105 35.69
96 Zaheer Abbas (PAK) 78 124 5062 44.79

*The stats (most runs in Test cricket) were updated on December 15, 2018.

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