In the world of Test cricket, where patience and technique are paramount, a few batsmen have made it to history with monumental individual scores. Topping this illustrious list is Brian Lara of the West Indies, whose incredible 400 not out against England in 2004 remains unbeaten. Dominating the list are players from the cricketing powerhouses of Australia, England, and the West Indies.
From Matthew Hayden’s explosive 380 against Zimbabwe to Len Hutton’s gritty 364 against Australia, these innings are not just records but timeless narratives of cricketing excellence.
This article will take you through the highest individual scores in Test cricket, celebrating the achievements of these legendary batsmen and their remarkable contributions to the game.
List of 10 Highest Individual Score in Test Cricket
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent | Runs | Year |
| 1 | Brian Lara | West Indies | England | 400* | 2004 |
| 2 | Matthew Hayden | Australia | Zimbabwe | 380 | 2003 |
| 3 | Brian Lara | West Indies | England | 375 | 1994 |
| 4 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 374 | 2006 |
| 5 | Garfield Sobers | West Indies | Pakistan | 365* | 1958 |
| 6 | Leonard Hutton | England | Australia | 364 | 1938 |
| 7 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | India | 340 | 1997 |
| 8 | Hanif Mohammad | Pakistan | West Indies | 337 | 1958 |
| 9 | Wally Hammond | England | New Zealand | 336* | 1933 |
| 10 | David Warner | Australia | Pakistan | 335* | 2019 |
1. Brian Lara – 400
Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, an astounding 400 not out against England at St John’s on April 10, 2004. This innings, spanning 778 minutes and 582 balls, featured 43 fours and 4 sixes, and made Lara the first cricketer ever to score more over 400 runs in Test cricket history.
His knock took the West Indies to a massive total of 751/7 in the first innings, which is one of the top 10 highest totals by a team in this format. Besides Lara, nobody else has reached the 400-mark. Over his illustrious Test career, Lara amassed 11,953 runs in 131 matches, averaging 52.88 with 34 centuries.
Lara also holds the record for highest individual score in first-class cricket – an unbeaten 501 for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994.
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2. Matthew Hayden – 380
Matthew Hayden’s monumental 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth on October 9, 2003, stands as a testament to his dominance as an opening batsman for Australia. His innings lasted 622 minutes, with a blistering strike rate of 86.95, including 38 boundaries and 11 towering sixes.
Hayden accumulated 8,625 runs in his Test career, with an average of 50.73 across 103 matches. His aggressive approach extended to ODIs, where he scored 6,133 runs in 161 matches at an average of 43.80.
3. Brian Lara – 375
In another extraordinary display against England at St John’s on April 16, 1994, Brian Lara smashed 375 runs in 766 minutes off 538 balls.
This was a decade before he scored the marathon knock of 400. This innings, characterized by 45 fours, is one of the best knocks produced by the legendary batsman. Coincidentally, his 400* and 375 both came at the same ground and against the same opponent.
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4. Mahela Jayawardene – 374
Mahela Jayawardene’s innings of 374 against South Africa at Colombo on July 27, 2006, lasted 752 minutes and featured 572 deliveries. His innings, which included 43 boundaries, demonstrated Jayawardene’s composure and skill in the longest format of the game.
In his Test career, he scored 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84 in 149 matches. His ODI career was also stellar, with 12,650 runs in 448 matches.
5. Garfield Sobers – 365*
Garfield Sobers’ unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in Kingston on February 26, 1958, remains iconic. Although the number of balls faced isn’t known, his innings was marked by 38 boundaries.
Sobers played 93 Tests, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78. Though not as prolific in ODIs, Sobers’ legacy is more about his multi-faceted skills and his impact on the game, as he played during an era when limited-overs cricket was still evolving.
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6. Len Hutton – 364
Len Hutton’s innings of 364 against Australia at The Oval on August 20, 1938, spanned 797 minutes and 847 balls. His gritty performance, which included 35 fours, occupies the sixth place on the list of highest individual score in test cricket history.
Hutton amassed 6,971 runs in 79 Tests at an average of 56.67. His technique and temperament were exemplary, making him one of England’s greatest batsmen.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya – 340
Sanath Jayasuriya’s explosive 340 against India at Colombo on August 2, 1997, lasted 799 minutes and included 578 deliveries. His innings, featuring 36 fours and 2 sixes, exemplified his aggressive batting style and ability to dominate bowling attacks.
Jayasuriya scored 6,973 runs in Test cricket at an average of 40.07 in 110 matches. In ODIs, he was a pioneer of aggressive opening batting, accumulating 13,430 runs in 445 matches.
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8. Hanif Mohammad – 337
Hanif Mohammad’s innings of 337 against West Indies in Bridgetown on January 17, 1958, is eighth on the list of highest individual score in Test match. Though details on balls faced are unavailable, his innings remains one of the most special in Test cricket history. He scored 3,915 runs in 55 Tests at an average of 43.98.
9. Wally Hammond – 336*
Wally Hammond’s unbeaten 336 against New Zealand in Auckland on March 31, 1933, displayed his pure class and stamina. Although specifics on balls faced are unavailable, his innings included 34 boundaries and 10 sixes. Hammond scored 7,249 runs in 85 Tests at an average of 58.45.
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10. David Warner – 335*
David Warner’s unbeaten 335 against Pakistan in Adelaide on November 29, 2019, featured 39 fours and 1 six. Lasting 554 minutes and 418 balls, Warner’s innings highlighted his ability to convert starts into big scores and dominate bowling attacks. Warner has scored 8786 runs in 112 Tests at an average of 44.59.
Conclusion
The list of highest individual scores in Test cricket features some of the game’s greatest batsmen. From Brian Lara’s unmatched 400 not out to the commanding performances of Matthew Hayden, Len Hutton, and Mahela Jayawardene, these innings reflect the pinnacle of cricketing achievement.
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FAQs about Highest Individual Score in Test
Q) Who holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket?
A) Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, scoring 400 not out against England in 2004.
Q) How many runs did Brian Lara score in his Test career?
A) Brian Lara scored a total of 11,953 runs in his Test career, averaging 52.88 in 131 matches.
Q) What is the highest individual score by an Australian in Test cricket?
A) The highest individual score by an Australian in Test cricket is 380, achieved by Matthew Hayden against Zimbabwe in 2003.
Q) How many Test runs did Mahela Jayawardene score?
A) Mahela Jayawardene scored 11,814 runs in 149 Test matches at an average of 49.84.
Q) Which England batsman has scored the highest score in Test cricket history?
A) Len Hutton is the highest-scoring English batsman in a single Test innings, with 364 runs against Australia in 1938.
