Top-10 Batsmen with Most Career runs across all formats

Batting is often said to be an art. It is that art which glorifies the beauty of cricket. It is the elegance and poise of batting, which mesmerizes viewers. Batting is not just about his class and elegance, but eventually into scoring and piling up runs. A successful batsman is the one who transforms the sheer class into impressive numbers and ensures that he has a high score to his name. Consistently transforming the batting talent into actual numbers is what makes certain batsmen stand out. The ultimate purpose of the art of batting is run making and not anything else.

Ever since this lovely sport of cricket began, there have been a lot of batsmen who have won our hearts with their mind boggling numbers. Some batsmen are consistent just in the List A format, while the others rule over every format and condition. The runs scored in international cricket are said to be the most significant. But without grinding in the first class arena and the domestic circuit, scoring such runs in international cricket would just be a dream. Scoring in the forms of domestic cricket such as first class, List A and T20s is extremely crucial for the international future of a batsman.

In this article, we have a look at the top ten batsmen, who have the maximum number of runs across all competitive cricket including First class and List A –

1. GRAHAM GOOCH (67,057 runs):

The man leading the maximum run getter chart is none other than England batting legend Graham Gooch. In several ways, Gooch redefined the excellence of batting. Gooch himself said that he believed in run making and not just batting. It was the combination of his positive approach and a solid technique which made him stand out. With 67057 runs in 1194 career matches, Gooch has associated some freakish numbers with batting. Under his regime as the batting coach, the English side just flourished and the likes of Ian Bell, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott were well groomed.

2. GRAHAM HICK (64,372 runs):

In an illustrious career lasting from 1983 to 2008, this genius batsman amassed a mammoth aggregate of 64372 runs across all forms of cricket. Hick was originally from Zimbabwe, but later shifted his base to England. This right hander has 178 centuries to his name in 1214 matches in various forms of cricket. Ironically, Hick could hardly translate his first class form into international cricket, and ended his international career with a dull test batting average of 31.32.

3. JACK HOBBS (61,760 runs):

Apart from being third in the list of the leading run getters in cricket, Hobbs tops the list of the highest century makers in first class cricket. The Englishman notched up 199 first class centuries in his career lasting 874 games. That is some chilling stat! It was due to his batting might, that he became the first cricketer to be knighted. With a career average of 50.7, Hobbs rechristened batting records. He would have surely made a lot more tons, had World War 2 not taken its toll on the sport.

4. FRANK WOOLLEY (58,959 runs):

In a career spanning from 1906 to 1938, Woolley amassed 58959 runs in 978 games. This English great averaged 40.77 in first class cricket. Wolley has a staggering 145 tons to his name. In first class cricket, only Sir Jack Hobbs has more runs than his legend. Woolley was the complete cricketing package. Other than scoring 58959 runs in cricket, Woolley also had 2066 wickets to his name at an average of just 19.87.

5. GEOFFREY BOYCOTT (58,521 runs):

Boycott, the great Yorkshireman was the spine of the English, as well as Yorkshire batting. In a career lasting 24 years, Boycott rewrote several batting records. With a stern technique, Boycott was the idol for several aspiring batsmen. His willow often brought glory for England and his county, Yorkshire. In 922 cricket games, this Yorkshire great has 159 centuries to his name. Boycott would have undoubtedly been the first Englishman to have got to the coveted mark of 10,000 test runs, had he not made himself unavailable because of an internal team dispute. Post retirement, Boycott is known for his outspoken commentary.

6. ELIAS HENRY HENDREN (57,611 runs):

In 1300 innings, this Middlesex legend has 57611 runs. His tally of 170 first class centuries is also second to Sir Jack Hobbs. Hendren made his first class debut for Middlesex in the year 1907. He would get his first test cap after a massive span of 13 years against Australia. In 51 test matches, he made 7 centuries. But more than his international feats, it would be his domestic achievements that would be more celebrated.

7. DENNIS AMISS (55,942 runs):

With 55942 runs across all forms of cricket in 1062 matches, Amiss stands seventh on the list of the leading run getters in all forms of cricket. Amiss began his first class career in 1960, and made his debut for England six years later. He represented England in 50 tests and 18 ODI’s. He was simply fantastic for England as he made 11 tons in tests. But the most astonishing feat of Amiss was to score 4 tons in just 18 ODI’s. An ODI average of 47.72 in the days when limited overs cricket was just in its infancy is simply remarkable.

8. PHIL MEAD (55,061 runs):

No one has more runs for Hampshire than Phil Mead. Mead began his first class career in 1905 and ended up with 55061 runs. This Englishman constructed his first class success into test matches as well. In test matches, he averaged 49.37 with 4 centuries and 3 half centuries in 17 games. Mead also has 153 first class centuries to his name which is a great feat in itself. Unfortunately, in 17 years, he could represent England only in 17 test matches.

9. WILLIAM GILBERT GRACE (54,211 runs):

This heavily bearded legend was the first icon of cricket. His contribution for the sport cannot be explained through words or statistics. The fact that his career lasted for 44 years is a phenomenal feat in itself worthy of a salute. In 870 first class matches, including 22 tests for England, Grace amassed 54211 runs at an average of 39.45. In the 870 games, Grace was the maker of 124 first class tons. Even at the age of 47, Grace made runs from his willow with utmost ease. Apart from his tremendous run making spree, Grace also had 2809 wickets in 870 matches. Cricket surely wouldn’t have a better statsman than him.

10. GORDON GREENIDGE (53,703 runs):

The West Indian opener is tenth in the chart of the leading run getters in cricket. Greenidge was among the rare diamonds for West Indies cricket. He excelled in every form of the game, be it tests or ODI’s. In all the forms of the game, he averaged above 40. The opener had 125 tons to his name in 963 games. He made his first class debut in 1970 and played his last game in 1992. He had a remarkable ODI average of 45.03 in the early days of ODI cricket. Greenidge is best remembered for his attacking strokeplay and marauding shots. He was known to simply massacre the bowlers. Along with Desmond Haynes, Greenidge formed a terrific opening pair.

Here’s the tabular view of Top-10 Batsmen with Most Career runs across all formats –

Player	Career	Matches	Innings	Runs	Best	Average	100s
G.Gooch	1973-2000	1194	1591	67057	333	45.67	172
G.Hick	1983-2008	1214	1537	64372	405*	47.54	178
J.Hobbs	1905-1934	834	1325	61760	316*	50.70	199
F.Woolley	1906-1938	978	1530	58959	305*	40.77	145
G.Boycott	1962-1986	922	1316	58521	261*	52.72	159
E.Hendren	1907-1937	833	1300	57611	301*	50.80	170
D.Amiss	1960-1987	1062	1530	55942	262*	40.83	117
P.Mead	1905-1936	814	1340	55061	280*	47.67	153
W.Grace	1865-1908	870	1478	54211	344	39.45	125
G.Greenidge	1970-1992	963	1325	53703	273*	44.12	124