Batsmen with Most Runs in a Test Match

Test cricket is one of the finest forms of the game, and it continues for five days and consists of two innings for each team. Unlike the other formats of cricket, there are no over-limits in this format of the game. In terms of the stats regarding who has scored the highest runs in a Test match, we have found the names of some stalwarts of cricket. Graham Alan Gooch holds the top position currently with his 456 runs, and he is closely followed by Mark Anthony Taylor with his 426 runs. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the other top scorers in a Test cricket match.

1. Graham Alan Gooch

The name of Graham Alan Gooch is highly respected in the cricketing community worldwide in general and West Indies in particular. After all, he was the ‘star’ cricketer from the country whose bat was unstoppable once he set a strong footing on the field. Gooch was exceptionally brilliant in the test matches and he had played a number of Test matches in his career. His career best was 456 against India in 1990.

2. Mark Anthony Taylor

On 15^th October 1998, a great day for Test cricket, many records were made and broken. One of those records was by the Test century by Mark Anthony Taylor in 1998. In the 426 runs that he scored against Pakistan he was dominating from the start of the match as the Pakistani bowlers tried every trick in the book to halt his run rampage. He played the biggest role in leading Australia to victory in this match.

3. Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara

Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara is widely regarded as the craftsman behind Sri Lanka’s rise as one of the cricketing powers. He was not only one of the most successful wicketkeepers, but also an equally accomplished player of the game. If nothing else, his consistent performance in Test matches speaks volumes about his talent. Jayasuriya scored 424 runs against Bangladesh. He ranks third on the list for the most runs in a Test match.

4. Brian Charles Lara

The top name on the list is the brilliant batter from the West Indies. Lara was simply unstoppable in the 2004 Test series against England, where he scored a whopping 400 runs that included 43 fours and 4 sixes. The last time England was on the receiving end of Lara’s blazing batting was in 1994, when he smashed it out of the park with 375 runs. He made both these records in the revered St. John’s ground in West Indies, and remain untouched even after all these years.

5. Gregory Stephen Chappell

This left-handed opening batter is one of the best Australia ever got as he kept proving his mettle for all those years of playing the game. A dominant batter in all formats of the game, he deserves special praises for his Test scores. Chappell scored a whopping 380 runs against New Zealand in 2019. He finds a glorious place at the fifth position on this list.

6. Matthew Lawrence Hayden

Hayden is one of the finest Test batters to have ever come from Australia. He ranks second on this list of the most runs scored in a Test match by a batter. He hammered it out of the park with 380 runs in 437 balls, which included 38 fours and 11 sixes. The famous test was played in Australia’s home ground, Perth, against Zimbabwe in 2003.

7. Andrew Sandham

Andrew Sandham started his cricketing career playing for Surrey, before joining the international team later. As a player handling team responsibility, he never let his game on the field suffer. This outstanding batter has scored 375 runs against West Indies, which included some mind-blowing sixes and smooth fours. He finds his rightful place at the seventh position on this list.

8. Mahela de Silva Jayawardene

The former Sri Lankan captain is one of the brightest and most level-headed players of the game from the country. As per scoring the most runs in a single Test match, he made 374 runs in 572 balls, which included 43 boundaries and 1 over-boundary. Jayawardene made this record against South Africa back in 2006 in Colombo. However, it is worth mentioning that this is just one of many records made and smashed by this Sri Lankan titan.

9. Garfield Sobers

Sir Garry Sobers has excelled in all aspects of the game. In fact, hardly anyone would doubt that he is one of the top all-rounders to have ever graced the pitch. He went 365 not-out against Pakistan in the Kingston ground back in 1958. The fact that he still sits at number five with this record after so many years simply proves that he is one of the best Test cricketers of all time.

Table Showing the Highest Runs Scored by a Batter in a Test Match 

The Endnote

The names on this list are proof enough that ‘class is permanent’ in a game of cricket. Most of these cricketers do not play internationally or nationally anymore, but they continue to inspire generations with their skills.