Test cricket is one of the oldest and most challenging forms of cricket. Despite the profitable white-ball cricket, particularly T20s, players continue to test cricket as the ultimate form of cricket. This is the most extended form of cricket that allows the players to show off their skills over a long period.
Over 2000 batsmen have played test cricket, but only 14 have crossed the 10,000 mark. This article will discuss the players with the highest runs in test cricket.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 15921 Runs
There is hardly any batting record without Sachin Tendulkar. He has the record for most runs in test cricket. Tendulkar played 200 tests in his 24-year career between 1989 and 2013. He scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.78, with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13378 Runs
Ricky Ponting is known as one of the highest run scorer in test cricket. His impact on Australian and world cricket was immense, and he retired as one of the most incredible batters ever. He is the only captain to lead a country to four men’s ICC titles. As a batter, he has the third-most international runs and the third-most international centuries. Ponting played 168 tests and scored 13378 runs, the second-most runs in test cricket, averaging 51.85, with 41 centuries.
3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 13289 Runs
The best all-rounder to have graced the cricket field was Jacques Kallis. More than 25000 international runs and 550 international wickets is unbelievable for any cricketer. The South African legend played 166 tests between 1995 and 2014 and scored 13289 runs at an average of 55.37, with 45 centuries to his name second-most and 58 half-centuries has gotten the most runs in test cricket.
4. Rahul Dravid (India) – 13288 Runs
‘Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, famously known as “The Wall,” was one of the finest batters. Known for his solidity, he is among the few players to score more than 10,000 runs in ODIs and tests. Dravid played 164 tests between 1996 and 2012 and scored 13288 runs, averaging 52.31. Dravid raised 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries.
5. Joe Root* (England) – 12578 Runs
Former English captain Joe Root is considered a modern-day legend. His stature in test cricket has enhanced in the last few years, and he has been climbing up the ladder rapidly year after year.
Root debuted in 2012 and has been consistent throughout his test career. So far, he scored 12578* runs in 147 tests, averaging 51.33. Root has scored 35 centuries and 64 half-centuries. He is England’s leading run-scorer and leading century-maker in the most extended format.
He has a few more years of cricket left in him, and thus, he could end up with the most runs in test cricket.
6. Alastair Cook (England) – 12472 Runs
England has a rich batting history in test cricket, with Alastair Cook as one of the all-time greats. The southpaw had a stupendous career, during which he played 161 tests between 2006 and 2018.
Cook scored 12472 runs at an average of 45.35, with 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries. He is also the record holder of most consecutive test matches for a team, which stands at 159.
7. Kumar Sangakkara (SriLanka) – 12400 Runs
Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most elegant left-handers who played this game. He retired with the second-highest runs in international cricket. In ODIs, he is the second-highest run-scorer. He scored 12400 runs in 134 tests in test cricket at a brilliant average of 57.40. Sangakkara also scored 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries.
8. Brain Lara (West Indies) – 11953 Runs
Brain Lara is West Indies’ leading test run-scorer and eighth overall. The left-hander was a treat to watch. Lara played 131 tests between 1990 and 2007 and scored 11953 runs at 52.88, with 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries. His highest score of 400* is still a record in test cricket.
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 11867 Runs
West Indies have given the world many legendary batters in history. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been one of the underrated ones. But his impact on West Indies cricket was massive. He is West Indies’ second-highest test scorer. Chanderpaul played 164 tests between 1994 and 2015 and scored 11867 runs at an average of 51.37, including 30 centuries. He is ninth on the list of most runs in test cricket.
10. Mahela Jayawardene (SriLanka) – 11814 Runs
The Sri Lankan former captain, Mahela Jayawardene is one of those few players who have been able to score more than 11,000 runs both in ODIs and in tests. He is among the top five scorers in international cricket. For test cricket, he comes in at the tenth highest scorer. He has played the most number of tests for Sri Lanka (149), scoring 11814 runs at an average of 49.84, while his best was 374; he has also hit 34 test centuries and half-centuries 50.
