Test cricket is the most thrilling format of cricket but also the toughest. It not only requires great skills and abilities but also endurance, toughness, and one’s ability to survive on the crease as batsmen have to play longer innings. There have been several notable players who have recorded huge scores in the format and played iconic innings, which shows their class and qualities as a player. In this article, we will have a look at the top 10 batsmen who have the highest individual scores in the test format.
10) David Warner - 335*
The former Australian left-hand opener David Warner is known for his ruthless batting and ability to smash quick runs. In 2019, when Warner returned from his one-year ban, he made a memorable comeback by smashing 335* runs against Pakistan in a Test match. He faced 554 deliveries in that match. Warner’s knock included 39 fours and a six. Australia declared their inning at 589-3. In response, Pakistan put up a total of 302 runs in their first inning. Following which, Australia bowled them out at 239, winning the match by an inning and 48 runs.
9) Wally Hammond - 336*
The English batsman Wally Hammond made his cricketing debut in 1920 and continued his career till 1950. During all these years, Hammond played impressive cricket for England. During England’s tour of New Zealand in 1933, Hammond was in great form. The Kiwis won the toss and decided to bat first. However, they put up a poor batting performance and got bowled out for 158 in their first inning. During England’s innings, Hammond came in to bat at three and scored 336 runs, which included 39 fours and 10 sixes. England declared their innings after a huge score of 548/7. In response, New Zealand was batting on 16-0, but the match ended up being drawn.
8) Hanif Mohammad - 337
In 1958, when Pakistan toured West Indies, during the first test of the five-match series, Hanif Mohammad made history by scoring 337 runs against WI. After winning the toss, West Indies elected to bat first and put up a giant total of 579 runs. In response, Pakistan was bowled out for just 106 runs. Following this, in the second inning, Hanif Mohammad opened for his side and scored 337 runs, which included 24 fours. He played for 16 hours, which is the longest in cricket history so far. Pakistan declared their innings at 657. During their second innings, West Indies were on 28-0, but the match ended in a draw on the 6th day.
7) Sanath Jayasuriya - 340
The Sri Lankan legend is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He showed his stunning skills during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 1997. In the first Test of the two-match series, India batted first and declared at a huge total of 537-8. In response, Sanath Jayasuriya scored a triple hundred. He smashed 340 runs, which included 36 boundaries and two sixes. He played for more than 13 hours and led Sri Lanka to a colossal total of 952-6. However, the match and the series resulted in a draw.
6) Leonard Hutton - 364
When the English opener Leonard Hutton was playing a four-match Test series against Australia in 1938, England won the toss and elected to bat first. Hutton scored 364 runs, which included 35 boundaries. England declared the inning after a gigantic score of 903-7. In reply, Australia could only score 201 runs and got all out. The second inning for Australia was even worse when they were bowled out for only 123 runs. England secured the victory by an innings and 579 runs.
5) Sir Garry Sobers - 365
The former West Indies all-rounder Garfield Sobers scored his best Test score of 365* against Pakistan. In 1958, when Pakistan toured West Indies, it was the third Test of a five-match series. While batting first, Pakistan put up a total of 328. When WI came in to bat and lost one wicket, “Sir Garry Sobers” scored 365 runs with 38 fours. He spent about 10 hours on the crease and declared their inning at 790-3. Pakistan, in their second innings, got all out at a score of 288. West Indies won the match by an innings and 174 runs.
Sri Lanka’s one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Mahela Jayawardene, has played several notable knocks in international cricket. His best score in Test cricket came while playing a home series against South Africa in 2006. It was the first test of a two-match Test series and South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. The Proteas just managed to put up 169 on the scoreboard in the first inning. When Sri Lanka came to bat, they lost two early wickets. Then came Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene and built a massive partnership of 624 runs for the third wicket. In this partnership, Sangakkara contributed 287 runs and Jayawardene scored 374 runs, which included 43 boundaries and a six. Sri Lanka declared their inning at a colossal total of 756-5. South Africa could score only 434 in their second inning. SL won the test by an inning and 153 runs.
3) Brian Lara - 375
The West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara scored his second highest individual Test score against England in 1994. It was the fifth match of the five match series. WI won the toss and elected to bat first. When they lost the first two wickets, Lara came in to bat at three and scored 375 runs, which included 45 boundaries. Lara spent more than 12 hours on the crease. WI declared their inning after a total of 593-5. England fought back and got all out on a total of 593. The test ended up being drawn when WI was batting on 43.
2) Matthew Hayden - 380
The Australian veteran Matthew Hayden scored his highest individual test score during Zimbabwe’s tour of Australia in 2003. It was the first test of the two-match test series. Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to field. Hayden came in to open with Justin Langer and scored a huge score of 380 runs. He smashed 38 boundaries and 11 sixes during this inning. Australia declared the inning at a huge total of 735-6. In response, Zimbabwe could only score 239 runs. Australia went on to win the match by an innings and 175 runs.
1) Brian Lara - 400*
Brian Lara scored his historic quadruple century against England in 2004. It was the fourth Test of England tour of the West Indies, when WI won the toss and elected to bat first. Lara came in to bat at number three and scored a stunning mammoth individual score of 400, which included 43 boundaries and four sixes. WI declared the inning at a huge score of 751-5. England managed to score 285 and went all out in their first innings. Following on, in their second inning, England managed to save the test as it ended up being drawn.