Who Scorers Most Runs in Test Cricket

Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport, a true test of skill, endurance, and mental strength. Breaking into the top 10 highest run-scorers in Test cricket is a huge feat and something every batsman dreams of.

To achieve this feat, a player must possess extraordinary batting skills, mental toughness, and resilience to perform consistently against the world’s best bowlers over many years. The highest run scorers in Test cricket history include legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis, who are among the most legendary cricketers in the world. 

Check out a list of who score most runs in Test Cricket History: 

Top 10 Players with Highest Run Scorers in Test Cricket

1. Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs) – The man with the most runs in Test

Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the “Little Master,” is a legend like no other. With an illustrious career spanning 24 years, Tendulkar’s name became synonymous with batting excellence. Besides being the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, he also holds the record for the most Test centuries, with 51 to his name.

Tendulkar’s mastery over every aspect of batting, from technique to temperament, made him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack. His retirement in 2013 marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of records and memories cherished by millions of cricket fans worldwide.

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2. Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs)

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, takes up the second spot on the list of most runs in Test cricket history. Ponting’s illustrious career spanned 17 years, during which he amassed 13,378 runs and 41 Test centuries. 257 was his highest score in the format, achieved against India in the 2008 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He is also one of the most successful Test captains statistically, having led Australia to 48 victories in 77 Tests between 2004 and 2010. Ponting hung up his boots in 2012. 

3. Jacques Kallis (13,289 runs)

Third on the list is Jacques Kallis with 13,289 runs. Debuting in 1995, Kallis soon established himself as a mainstay in the South African lineup, contributing with both bat and ball on countless occasions. His 45 Test centuries, coupled with 292 wickets, underscored his status as one of the game’s premier all-rounders. Kallis is the only cricketer to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODIs and Tests. Additionally, he won 23 Man-of-the-Match awards, the most by any player in the history of Test cricket. 

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4. Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs)

Rahul Dravid, the epitome of dependability, embarked on his Test journey in 1996, earning the nickname “The Wall” for his impregnable defense and unflappable temperament. Dravid’s ability to anchor the innings and bat for long periods under pressure made him a linchpin of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade. In 2004, during a match against Bangladesh in Chittagong, Dravid became the first player to score a century in all ten Test-playing nations. Additionally, he holds the record for the highest number of catches taken by a non-wicket-keeper player in Test cricket, an impressive total of 210 catches. 

5. Alastair Cook (12,472 runs)

Alastair Cook, the stoic left-hander, made his Test debut for England in 2006, laying the foundation for a prolific career at the top of the order.  His 33 Test centuries, including several monumental innings in Ashes contests, cemented his status as one of England’s greatest opening batsmen. He is the top run-scorer in Test matches for England, and also made history as the youngest player to reach the milestone of 12,000 Test runs. Following Andrew Strauss’s retirement in 2012, he assumed the captaincy of the Test team. Five years later, in 2018, Alastair Cook bid farewell to Test cricket. 

6. Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs)

Kumar Sangakkara, the elegant southpaw, graced the Test arena with his sublime stroke play and impeccable technique for over 15 years. Debuting in 2000, Sangakkara soon established himself as one of Sri Lanka’s batting mainstays, captivating audiences with his graceful batting style. With 11,679 runs scored at the prestigious number 3 position, he holds the record for the highest runs accumulated by any batsman in that slot. Also, his 38 centuries are the most by a southpaw in Tests. Sangakkara’s retirement in 2015 marked the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket, leaving behind a legacy of class and elegance at the crease.

7. Brian Lara (11,953 runs)

Brian Lara, the mercurial genius from the Caribbean, is seventh on this list with a tally of 11,953 runs. His record-breaking innings of 400* against England in 2004 remains one of Test cricket’s most iconic moments. For 18 years, Lara also held the record for the most runs scored in a single over of a Test match. This came in 2003 when he plundered 28 runs off an over bowled by Robin Peterson of South Africa. Lara announced retirement from all forms of international cricket in 2007.

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8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11,867 runs)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the unorthodox Guyanese batsman, is next on the list with 11,867 runs. Over the course of his career, the batsman produced many memorable innings for his team. A decline in performance led to his omission from the West Indies squad in 2015. Subsequently, in 2016, Chanderpaul bid farewell to international cricket. 

9. Mahela Jayawardene (11,814 runs)

Mahela Jayawardene takes up the ninth spot on the list with 11,814 runs. Jayawardene made history as the first Sri Lankan to score over 10,000 Test runs and the second to achieve the feat in ODIs. Also, his highest Test score of 374 against South Africa is the highest ever by a right-handed batsman in Test cricket. 

10. Joe Root (11,736 runs)

Joe Root stands as the top run-scorer among active batsmen and ranks tenth in Test cricket’s all-time highest run-scorers. He led England’s Test team from February 2017 to April 2022, boasting records for the most Test matches (64), wins (27), and losses (26) as England’s captain. 

FAQs about Most Runs in Test cricket

Q) Who is the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history?

A) The highest run-scorer in Test cricket history is Sachin Tendulkar. 

Q) Who is the highest run-scorer for Australia in Tests?

A) The highest run-scorer for Australia in Tests is Ricky Ponting.

Q) Who is the highest run-scorer for England in Tests? 

A) The highest run-scorer for England in Tests is Alastair Cook.

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