Top 10 Highest Test Score by a Batsman
Test cricket is the purest and most prestigious format of the game, demanding skill, patience, and mental toughness. Over the decades, some legendary batsmen have etched their names in the record books by scoring marathon innings that have stood the test of time. In this article, we look at the Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman, celebrating the cricketers who redefined endurance and brilliance at the crease.
1. Brian Lara – 400 vs England (2004)*
Country: West Indies
Venue: Antigua
Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, an unbeaten 400 against England. This incredible innings came during the fourth Test of the series and included 43 fours and 4 sixes. Lara became the first player in history to score 400 runs in a Test inning.
2. Matthew Hayden – 380 vs Zimbabwe (2003)
Country: Australia
Venue: Perth
Matthew Hayden smashed 380 runs in just 437 balls against Zimbabwe. His aggressive knock was filled with 38 fours and 11 sixes, briefly setting a new world record before Lara reclaimed it the following year.
3. Brian Lara – 375 vs England (1994)
Country: West Indies
Venue: Antigua
Before his 400*, Lara had already made history with 375 runs against England. This innings broke Sir Garfield Sobers’ long-standing record and marked Lara’s rise to batting greatness.
4. Mahela Jayawardene – 374 vs South Africa (2006)
Country: Sri Lanka
Venue: Colombo
Jayawardene’s 374 is the highest individual Test score by a Sri Lankan batsman. His partnership with Kumar Sangakkara (624 runs) remains the highest partnership in Test history.
5. Garry Sobers – 365 vs Pakistan (1958)*
Country: West Indies
Venue: Kingston
Sir Garfield Sobers was just 21 when he scored an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan. It stood as the world record for over 36 years before Brian Lara broke it.
6. Len Hutton – 364 vs Australia (1938)
Country: England
Venue: The Oval
Len Hutton’s 364 came against a strong Australian side and stood as the highest individual score in Test cricket for 20 years. It remains one of England’s most iconic innings.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya – 340 vs India (1997)
Country: Sri Lanka
Venue: Colombo
Known for his explosive style, Jayasuriya played a marathon innings of 340 against India. This knock helped Sri Lanka post a then-record team total of 952/6 declared.
8. Hanif Mohammad – 337 vs West Indies (1958)
Country: Pakistan
Venue: Bridgetown
Hanif Mohammad’s 337 was a remarkable display of resilience. Batting for over 16 hours, he helped Pakistan save a Test match after following on.
9. Wally Hammond – 336 vs New Zealand (1933)*
Country: England
Venue: Auckland
Wally Hammond’s unbeaten 336 came at a rapid pace for its time. His innings helped establish England’s dominance and remains a celebrated moment in Test history.
10. David Warner – 335 vs Pakistan (2019)*
Country: Australia
Venue: Adelaide
David Warner scored an unbeaten 335 off just 418 balls against Pakistan. It was one of the most aggressive triple centuries in modern cricket, filled with 39 fours and a six.
Conclusion
These iconic innings are more than just numbers—they are stories of concentration, determination, and cricketing excellence. From Brian Lara’s record-breaking double to Hanif Mohammad’s heroic resistance, these performances define what it means to succeed in the longest format of the game.
As Test cricket continues to evolve, fans eagerly await who will be the next to enter this elite list of highest Test scores by a batsman.