Country-Wise Highest Individual Test Score

Test cricket is a lot different from the ODI or T20I format. While the latter two consists of limited numbers of overs per side, Test matches have no boundaries for the number of overs. In a Test match, a team can bat until they lose all of their wickets. With the availability of unlimited overs, many batsmen have also managed to smash big knocks in Test format. The longest format of the game has witnessed many triple centuries and also a quadruple century.

There are only 12 teams who compete in Test cricket at present. India, Australia, England, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan are the 12 Test-playing nations international cricket.  In this article, we will take a look at the highest knocks in Tests from the players of each nation. Here is the list of country-wise highest individual Test scores.

Country-Wise Highest Individual Test Score

Ireland- Kevin O’ Brien (118)

For Ireland, Kevin O Brien holds the record of the highest knock in Test cricket. The right-handed batsman smashed a 118-run knock in a match against Pakistan in May 2018. The 37-year-old scored 118 runs in the 2nd innings in a losing cause. He played 217 balls and hit 12 fours during his knock.

In the match, Pakistan scored 310/9 (d) in the 1st innings. Ireland were bowled out 130 in the 1st innings. While following on, they piled up 339/10 on the scoreboard with the 118-run knock by Brien. Pakistan managed to win the match by 5 wickets after successfully chasing the 160-run target in the 2nd innings.

Afghanistan- Hashmatullah Shahidi (200*)

From Afghanistan, Hashmatullah Shahidi has smashed the highest knock in Test cricket. In a match against Zimbabwe in March 2021, the left-handed batsman smashed an unbeaten 200-run knock. He played 443 balls for his innings smashing 21 fours and 1 six.

Afghanistan scored 545/4 (d) in the first innings. Later, Zimbabwe were bowled out 287 in the first innings. While following on, they scored were bowled out for 365 runs. Afghanistan easily managed to chase the 108-run target and won the match by 6 wickets.

Bangladesh- Mushfiqur Rahim (219)

For Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim has the record of highest knock in Test cricket. The right-handed batsman smashed an unbeaten 219-run knock against Zimbabwe in November 2018. The wicket-keeper batsman played 421 deliveries for his knock and also smacked 18 boundaries and 1 six.

In the match, Bangladesh batted first and put up 522/7 (d) on the scoreboard with Rahim’s 219. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 304 in reply. Later, Bangladesh declared their batting at 224/6 in the 2nd innings. Zimbabwe could not chase the mammoth 442-run target and were bowled out for 224. Bangladesh won the match by 218 runs.

Zimbabwe- Dave Houghton (266)

From Zimbabwe, former cricketer Dave Houghton has smashed the highest score in Test cricket. His international career for Zimbabwe spanned from 1983 to 1997. In a match against Sri Lanka in October 1994, the right-handed Houghton batsman smashed 266 runs. This is the highest knock in the longest format of cricket from a Zimbabwe cricketer so far. The wicket-keeper batsman played 541 balls for his knock, smashing 30 fours and 3 sixes.

In the match, Zimbabwe declared their batting at 462/9 in the first innings after Houghton’s spectacular knock. Sri Lanka responded with 218. Later during follow-on, Sri Lanka scored 193/4 in the 2nd innings but managed to keep their wickets till the end of the 5th day. As a result, the match ended in a draw.

New Zealand- Brendon McCullum (302)

For New Zealand, former cricketer Brendon McCullum holds the record for highest knock in Test cricket. The former New Zealand skipper smashed a 302-run knock against India in February 2014. The right-handed batsman’s triple century arrived in the 2nd innings when he took 559 balls to score 302. He smashed 32 fours and 4 sixes during his knock.

In the match, New Zealand were bowled out for just 192 in the 1st innings. India replied with 438. Later, New Zealand piled up 680/8 (d) with McCullum’s triple century. Till the end of the 5th day, India were railing at 166/3. As the result, the match ended in a draw.

South Africa- Hashim Amla (311)

For South Africa, former cricketer Hashim Amla has smashed the highest score in Test cricket. The former opening batsman hit an unbeaten knock of 311 runs in a match against England in July 2019. The right-handed batsman played 529 deliveries for his knock and smacked 35 boundaries.

In the match, England were bowled out for 385 in the 1st innings. With Hashim Amla’s triple century, South Africa managed to score 627/2 (d). Later, England were bowled out for 240 in the 2nd innings. South Africa won the match an innings and 12 runs and Amla became the star of the match with his astonishing knock.

India- Virender Sehwag (319)

Virender Sehwag holds the record for the highest knock in Test cricket for India. The former Indian cricketer smashed a 319-run knock in a match against South Africa in March 2008. The Indian opener smashed the triple century in just 304 balls. The right-handed batsman smashed 42 fours and 5 sixes during his knock. In the match, South Africa were bowled out for 540 in the 1st innings.

With Sehwag’s triple century, India responded with 627 in the 1st innings. South Africa scored 331/5 in the 2nd innings and managed to evade a loss. The match ended in a draw.

Pakistan- Hanif Mohammad (337)

For Pakistan, Hanif Mohammad has the record for highest knock in Test cricket. The former Pakistani cricketer smashed 337 runs in a match against West Indies in January 1958. So far, this is still the highest ever score by a Pakistani batsman in the longest format. The wicket-keeper batsman smashed 24 boundaries during his knock.

In the match, West Indies scored 579/9 (d) in the 1st innings. Pakistan were bowled out for just 106 in the 1st innings. With following-on, the right-handed batsman smashed 337 runs in the 2nd innings. Pakistan managed to reach 657/8 (d) in the 2nd innings. With a 185-run target, West Indies could only reach 28 runs till the end of the 5th day. As a result, the match ended in a draw.

England- Leonard Hutton (364)

For England, former cricketer Leonard Hutton holds the record for the highest ever knock in Test cricket. In August 1938, the former England batsman smashed 364 runs in a match against Australia. Hutton played 847 balls for his innings and accounted for 35 boundaries. His knock is still the highest-ever knock by an England batsman in the longest format of the game.

England batted first in the match. With Hutton’s triple century, England reached mammoth 903/7 (d) in the 1st innings. Australia were bowled out for just 201 in the 1st innings. During follow-on, Australia were bowled out for just 123 and England managed a giant victory by an innings 579 runs.

Sri Lanka- Mahela Jayawardene (374)

For Sri Lanka, former cricketer Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for highest knock in Test cricket. The right-handed batsman smacked a 374-run knock against South Africa in July 2006. This is also the 4^th highest knock in Test cricket. For his knock, Jayawardene played 572 balls. He also smashed 43 fours and 1 six during his innings.

South Africa batted first in the match and were bowled out for just 169 in the 1st innings. Sri Lanka responded with a mammoth 756/5 (d) with a triple century by Jayawardene. Kumar Sangakkara also played a 287-run knock for Sri Lanka. South Africa were bowled out for just 434 in the 2nd innings. Sri Lanka won the match by an innings and 153 runs.

Australia – Matthew Hayden (380)

For Australia, former cricketer Matthew Hayden accounts for the highest-ever knock in Test cricket. The former Aussie opener smacked 380 runs in October 2003 in a match against Zimbabwe. The left-handed batsman played 437 runs for his knock and shattered 38 fours and 11 sixes during his innings.

Batting first, Australia scored a massive 735/6 (d) in the 1st innings with the triple century of Matthew Hayden. In response, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 239. While following on, Zimbabwe were bowled out 321 and lost the match. Australia emerged victorious with an innings and 175 runs.

West Indies- Brian Lara (400)

For West Indies, Brian Lara holds the record for the highest-ever knock in Test cricket. The former West Indies skipper smashed a quadruple century in a match against England in April 2004. His unbeaten 400 run-knock witnessed Lara playing 582 balls. The left-handed batsman smashed 43 fours and 4 sixes during his knock. Lara’s knock is still the highest-ever score by a batsman in Tests.

In the match, West Indies batted first and scored 751/5 (d) with a 400-run knock by Brian Lara. England were bowled out for 285 in the 1st innings. During follow-on in the 2nd innings, England reached 422/5 at the end of the 5th day. As a result, the match ended in a draw.