Cricket is not just a sport but an emotion a celebration for fans across the Globe. Whether it’s Gupshup between friends during a tea party or a family get-together, cricket is a hot topic of discussion. Some people are die-hard Virat fans while some are legendary Tendulkar followers. No matter which cricketer you follow the feeling of attachment & contentment for the sport remains constant in every cricket fan’s heart. When Cricket is talked about who can forget the Test format which is the oldest format of the sport? Many cricketers have tried to achieve crucial landmarks in the Test format. And one such rare feat is registering the highest number of runs in the Test format. Many Cricketers tried to reach this landmark but only a few of them got successful in etching their names in golden words in the history of Test format. So Let’s have a look at the top 5 cricketers who are the highest run-scorers in Test Cricket
Top 5 Highest run-scorers in Test Cricket
Sachin tendulkar- 15,921 Runs
The ‘Master Blaster’ of World Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar tops the list of highest run-scorers in the Test format. Holding a record of playing 200 test matches, Sachin bags 15,921 runs in his kitty, which makes him the highest run-scorer in Test Cricket to date.
Entering the Test format in the tender age of 16 years Sachin has played Test Cricket for rich 24 years. He made his debut in 1989 & continued playing until 2013. Known for his excellent shot selection technique & great temperament Sachin enjoys an average of over 45 in every Test Playing Nation other than The way Sachin beautifully timed his shots by mixing caution with aggression is commendable. Tendulkar used to give nightmares to bowlers as once settled on crease it becomes impossible for them to send him out of the field. None of the batters in today’s era are even close to bridging Tendulkar’s run tally in Test format.
2. Ricky Ponting- 12,378 Runs
Occupying the second spot on the list of highest run-scorers in Test Cricket is none other than Ricky Ponting. With 13,378 runs in 168 matches, Ricky Ponting is proudly the second-highest run-scorer in Test Cricket. He has been one of the best captains that Australia ever had & has time & again proved his prowess in test format. Ricky Ponting debuted back in 1995 against Sri Lanka & has played in the Test format for 17 years from 1995-2012. He has registered 41 Test Centuries at a strike rate of 59. His knocks mostly came in dire situations helping Australia to pull the fixture in their favor. The best executor of the pull & hook shot in Test, Ricky has been the highest run-scorer for Australia in all formats.
Notably, Ricky Ponting has begun the second innings of his life as a Coach & is currently serving as the Head Coach of the Delhi Capitals franchise in IPL.
3) Jacques Kallis- 12,289 Runs
When the highest run-scorers in Test Cricket is talked about, Jacques Kallis becomes a sure-shot attendee. With mammoth 13289 runs in 166 fixtures, Jacques Kallis is the third-highest run-scorer in Test format. Pick up statistical data of all-rounders Jacques Kallis tops the list. His extra-ordinary 292 wickets in 166 fixtures add more significance to his 13,289 Test runs tally. Kallis enjoyed a fruitful 18 years long career lasting from 1995-2013. Notably, he is also the highest run-scorer in South African Cricket. During Kallis’s stint in the Test format, Proteas were occupying the top spot in the Test batting rankings. He was comfortable hitting at a strike rate of 46 & was handy with the ball in dire situations. Notably, Jacques Kallis was also the highest run-scorer in Test format.
4) Rahul Dravid: 13,288 Runs
India’s Head Coach & former India Player Rahul Dravid is the fourth player to occupy a place in the highest run-scorers list in Test Cricket. The swashbuckling player now turned into a full-time coach has several accolades in his kitty & one such remarkable feat is becoming one of the highest run-scorer in Test format. He has 13,288 runs in his kitty making him the fourth highest run-scorer in Test format. The entire World called him ‘The Wall’ due to his exemplary batting in the longest format which made bowlers’ life difficult for him. Known for his textbook technique once settled on crease it’s almost impossible for bowlers to get rid of Rahul Dravid. He was considered one of the best players to play in SENA countries due to his adaptive technique. Playing Test Cricket for 16 years (1996-2012), Dravid is one of the two players who has bridged 10,000 Test runs from a single position.
5) Alastair Cook- 12,472 Runs
England’s all-time leading run-scorer & one of the best openers in the history of Test Cricket, Alastair Cook occupies fifth place among the highest run-scorers in Test Cricket List. He was one of the players who managed to reach the 10,000 runs mark. Though he didn’t have an artillery of shots with him he mastered the art of pull & cut shots. He scored 12472 runs in 161 fixtures with his calculative batting & proudly occupied the fifth position as the highest run-scorer in the Test cricket list. His illustrious 12 years of Test career comprised of opening innings for England. He made his debut against India in 2006 against India & did the openers task effortlessly. Alastair Cook performed the job of opener stupendously & helped England to lay the foundation of a competitive total on board. Cook’s standout performance came during the Ashes 2010-11 which includes a series whitewash in Australia. His ability to time his patent shots aptly is Cook’s distinct Characteristic which makes him different from others on the list.
These are the top Cricketers who are ruling the Test format. They proudly occupy a place in the top 5 highest run-corers in the Test format list. You might be having your own favorite Cricketer whom you feel has done enough in a Test format to get recognition. So share with us your favorite cricketer whom you think deserves a place in the list of top performers in Test format.
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