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Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the game for most spectators. I’d agree with that theory and, I prefer to get immersed in a game over five days.
The test arena also provides the biggest challenge for batsmen. Those who score highly in test cricket are considered to be the best in the sport.
Who Made the Most Runs in Test History?
As of 2021, Sachin Tendulkar still holds the record of having the most runs in a Test career. His 15921 runs scored in 200 matches and 329 innings are followed by Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting as the 2nd highest run scorer with 13378 runs.
Check out the following interactive chart of players who have scored the most test runs between 1985 and 2021. It will update automatically for those players who are still active but read on for a closer look at the names who appear on it.
Click ‘Play’ button below to start the animation.1. Sachin Tendulkar – 15921 runs
Indian cricket fans would all say that Sachin Tendulkar was the best batsman ever to have played the game and it is difficult to argue with that theory. He’s the record holder on this list and, when he retired in 2013, Tendulkar had scored an incredible 15,921 runs in test from exactly 200 games.
2. Ricky Ponting – 13378 runs
Behind Tendulkar in the list is Australia’s Ricky Ponting. He captained the side during a golden era for the country and he also finished up with 13,378 test runs.
3. Jacques Kallis – 13289 runs
It’s widely accepted that South Africa’s Jacques Kallis is the greatest all-rounder in the history of the game. Along with his 13,289 runs in test, he also claimed 292 wickets in the format.
4. Rahul Dravid
13288 runs
It was a great era for Indian cricket when the likes of Tendulkar, Ganguly and Sehwag were at the crease. Glueing those innings together was ‘The Wall’ – Rahul Dravid who finished just behind Kallis with 13,288 test runs.
5. Alastair Cook – 12472 runs
The only Englishman on this list, Alastair Cook leads his fellow countrymen by a huge margin. A left hander and a successful captain for many years, Cook retired in 2018 with 12,472 test runs.
6. Kumar Sangakkara – 12400 runs
A graceful left hander, Kumar Sangakkara was part of Sri Lanka’s best ever era in test cricketing terms. He retired in 2015 with 12,400 test runs.
7. Brian Lara – 11953 runs
Lara’s 400 is the highest score in test cricket history and it may never be beaten. Those 400 runs account for his career total of 11,953.
8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 11867 runs
Shiv was a left handed ‘limpet’ who was very hard to dismiss. He also had a very unusual technique and stance but it must have been effective as he scored 11,867 runs over a long, 21-year career.
9. Mahela Jayawardene – 11814 runs
Another of Sri Lanka’s finest, Mahela Jayawardene also contributed to the country’s golden period. After his final game against Pakistan in 2014, he’d scored 11,814 test runs. Worth noting that Jayawardene is also a great fielder with the highest number of catches in ODI cricket.
10. Allan Border – 11174 runs
Australia’s Allan Border is the only player on this list whose test career began before 1985 so the fact that he remains in the top ten is a testament to his ability.
Border also deserves credit as the captain who began to turn the Aussies into the best team in the world in the 1990s and he finished with 11,174 runs in test.
Closing Thoughts
I’ve been lucky enough to see all of these players at first hand while they’ve been touring England and they were incredible to watch. Rahul Dravid was, perhaps, my favourite overseas batsman as he was elegant but obdurate and that’s an interesting combination.
What’s also interesting is that all of the players on this list have retired. We talk about great current players including the ‘big four’ of Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli but they’re not on the list. They should break into the top ten in the future but they’re not quite there yet. Remember that, when any batter does break through, they will be included on that fascinating interactive chart.
Cricketers that are still playing will have their totals automatically updated so this is a reliable tool for those that want to keep in touch with the highest test match run scorers.
