Test cricket is the oldest and toughest format of cricket. A player requires strong willpower, mental and both physical toughness to play tests. So scoring a double hundred in this format is arguably the toughest task, as the batsman has to stick on the crease for a long time, which requires good skills and concentration as well. In the history of cricket, there have been many notable batsmen who have achieved the feat of scoring a double hundred not only once but numerous times. In this article, we will have a look at the top 10 batsmen who have most test double hundreds to their name.
10) Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad made his debut for Pakistan in 1975 and represented the country till 1996. He also served as a captain for the team. Miandad scored six double centuries during his career in 124 match innings. His highest score in the format is 280*. He amassed a total of 8832 runs in his test career at an average of 52.57. Miandad is one of the finest batsmen produced by Pakistan. The amazing thing about Miandad is that he scored his maiden double hundred only in his third inning in a test after his debut. He scored 206 against New Zealand.
9) Virender Sehwag
The former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag was known for his aggressive batting and his ability to smash boundaries from the very first bowl. He is arguably one of the most destructive batsmen in cricket history who dominated the bowlers even in the longest format of the game. Sehwag has six double hundreds to his name. He scored a total of 8586 runs in his test career at an average of 49.35. Sehwag’s highest score in the test format is 319, which he scored against South Africa in 2008.
The former Sri Lankan captain made his international debut in 1990 and represented his country for 27 years. During his career, Marvan Atapattu scored six double hundreds in 90 test matches. Although he averaged only 39.02 in tests, Marvan had the ability to score big. He scored 16 hundreds and 17 fifties in his test career. His three double hundreds came against Zimbabwe and the remaining three against England, Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively.
7) Kane Williamson
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson is a brilliant batsman who has an incredible average of 54.83 in tests. Williamson has played 101 test matches till now and scored 8828 runs, which includes 32 hundreds and 35 fifties. Kane Williamson has scored six double hundreds, with his best score being 251.
6) Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lankan cricket icon Mahela Jayawardene was one of the most talented batsmen of his time. Jayawardene played 149 test matches during his career and scored 34 hundreds and 50 half centuries at an average of 49.84. His maiden Test double hundred came against India in 1999. He has a total of seven double hundreds to his name. Jayawardene’s highest score in Tests is 374, which is also the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan player.
5) Virat Kohli
India’s one of the greatest and most dominating batsmen, Virat Kohli, has exceptional skills, which led to him making and breaking numerous records. So far, Kohli has played 115 test matches, scoring 8043 runs at an average of 49.95. He has recorded 27 hundreds and 28 fifties, along with seven double hundreds. He holds the record of being the player with most double hundreds as a captain, as all his double centuries came when Kohli was leading team India.
4) Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond was an English batsman who played in the same era as Don Bradman. He played 85 tests during his career and scored 7249 runs at an average of 58.45, which includes 22 hundreds and 24 half centuries. He has seven double hundreds to his name, out of which four came against Australia, two against New Zealand and one against India. He is the only batsman in cricket history to score a double ton in two consecutive tests on two different occasions. Hammond’s highest score of 336 came against New Zealand.
3) Brian Lara
The West Indies legend Brian Lara played 131 test matches in his career and amassed 11953 runs at an average of 52.88, which includes 34 centuries and 48 fifties. He was successful in converting his 9 out of 34 hundreds into double hundreds. Brian Lara’s remarkable 400* against England in 2004 remains the highest individual score in test cricket.
2) Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the best cricketers in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history. Sangakkara played 134 test matches during his career and amassed 12400 runs at an notable average of 57.40. He has 38 hundreds and 52 centuries to his name, which includes an astonishing 11 double hundreds. Sangakkara was known for his elegance and brilliant skills. His highest score in tests is 319, which came against Bangladesh in 2014.
1) Don Bradman
The cricketing icon Don Bradman is widely known for his extraordinary average of 99.94 in Test cricket. He is considered the greatest batsman of all time. The Australian batsman played 52 matches during his career and recorded 29 hundreds and 13 fifties. He holds the record for most double hundreds in Test cricket. Bradman scored 12 double hundreds during his career, with 334 being his highest score.