With the rising popularity of limited overs cricket in the last few years, Test cricket has been one of the best formats in cricket. It is the oldest and original format of the game which has been ruling from the last 147 years.
Through the decades, there have been several cricketers who turned out to be among best players in Test cricket. In the following listicle, we will discuss about the 10 players to score most runs in Test cricket.
Most runs in Test cricket
10. Mahela Jayawardene – 11814 runs
Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene has been among the greatest players from the country to play Test cricket. The former cricketer has amassed 11814 runs along with 50 half-centuries and 34 centuries in 149 Test matches for Sri Lanka from 1997 to 2014.
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 11867 runs
Former West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul was known for his ability to bat throughout the day in Test cricket. The left-hander has amassed 11867 in 164 Test matches for the Windies with 66 fifties and 30 centuries from 1994 to 2015.
8. Joe Root – 11940 runs
England’s Joe Root is regarded as the best Test batter among active cricketers and is the eighth batter to score most runs in Test cricket. The right-handed has scored 11940 runs in 142 Test matches for England so far along with 32 hundreds and 62 half-centuries from 2012 to July 2024 so far.
7. Brian Lara – 11953 runs
Brian Lara holds the record for scoring most runs in a Test innings and known for his historic knock of 400 runs in a Test match against Australia in 2005. The former West Indian cricketer has amassed 11953 runs along with 34 tons and 48 half-centuries in 131 matches from 1990 to 2006.
6. Kumar Sangakkara – 12400 runs
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has been best of the game in this format. The former wicket-keeper batter scored 12400 runs from 134 Test matches for Sri Lanka along with 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries from 2000 to 2015.
5. Sir Alastair Cook – 12472 runs
Sir Alastair Cook is regarded as England’s greatest player to play Test cricket. The former cricketer has scored the most runs in Test cricket for England. Cook has scored 12472 runs in his career of 161 Test matches, scoring 33 hundreds and 57 half-centuries from 2006 to 2018.
4. Rahul Dravid – 13288 runs
The ‘Wall of Indian Cricket’, Rahul Dravid has been among the best Test batters for India over the years who had the ability to bat all day long. The former cricketer has scored 13288 runs along with 36 hundreds and 63 half-centuries for India in 164 Test matches for India (1996 to 2012).
3. Jacques Kallis – 13289 runs
Former South Africa cricketer, Jacques Kallis is regarded of one of the greatest all-rounders in the world. he stands third player to score most runs in Test cricket. He has amassed 13289 runs from 166 Test matches in his career along with 45 hundreds and 58 half-centuries from 1995 to 2013.
2. Ricky Ponting – 13378 runs
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has played a monumental role in the Aussies dominance in the decade of 2010s. He is the all-time second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket with 13378 runs along with 41 hundreds and 68 fifties from 168 Test matches (1995-2012).
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 15921 runs
The greatest of the game, former Indian cricketer S achin Tendulkar is the all-time highest run-scorer in Test cricket. The right-hander has amassed 15921 runs in 200 Test matches for India along with record 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.