Top 10 Active Batsmen With Most Runs In Test Cricket

Test cricket is undeniably the purest form of the game. Having first began in 1877, Test cricket has gone through several transformations, with plenty of batsmen accumulating runs and shattering records at will. While the batsmen of the 70s and 80s were undoubtedly the pioneer Test cricketers as they played against some of the fastest bowlers and on uncovered wickets, the present-day players have equally risen to the challenge.

With the modern-day players needing to adapt to different formats very quickly, Test cricket becomes the hardest version to adapt to. But some of today’s batsmen have transitioned smoothly into the longest form and scored heaps of runs at will. It hardly mattered the class of bowlers they are facing or what grounds they play in as the runs flew off their bats for a long time.

We take a look top ten active batsmen with most runs in Test cricket:

10. Angelo Mathews – 6236 runs:

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews had grown into one of the promising all-rounders until recent injuries and form concerns have threatened to derail his career. Angelo Mathews made his Test debut back in Galle against Pakistan in July 2009 and has played 90 matches so far. The right-handed batsman has scored 6236 runs at 44.86 with 11 centuries.

The 33-year old’s best Test score of 200* came against Zimbabwe in January 2020 in Harare. But Mathews’ seam-bowling has only earned him 33 Test wickets at 53.51, with a solitary four-wicket haul. The former Sri Lankan captain’s most recent performances have been appalling as he has not passed 30 in his last four Test innings, but reached three figures in the innings before that.

9. Cheteshwar Pujara – 6244 runs:

Cheteshwar Pujara is one of the quintessential batsmen in Test cricket today, taking over from Rahul Dravid to become the new ‘Wall’ for India in Test cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara has been instrumental in India’s success in Test cricket and played instrumental roles in their twin successes in Australia. The Saurashtra batsman debuted in 2010, but became a regular fixture only two years later.

The right-handed batsman has 6244 runs in 85 fixtures, averaging a healthy 46.59 with 18 centuries. Pujara’s best score of 206* came against England in Ahmedabad in 2012. The coming months might witness Pujara taking his batting to new heights as India await a challenging tour of England, where they play a Test against New Zealand, followed by five more against the hosts.

8. Azhar Ali – 6579 runs:

Azhar Ali has been a constant fixture in Pakistan’s Test line-up since his first appearance at Lord’s against Australia in 2010. At number three, Azhar Ali has often weathered the storm and blunted the new-ball threat, as Pakistan has struggled to find a stable opening partnership. In August 2020 against England, the veteran became the fifth batsman from Pakistan to cross 6000 Test runs.

Overall, the 36-year old has 6579 runs in 87 Tests at 43.28 with 18 centuries. The former Pakistan captain is also amongst the four batsmen from his country to score a triple hundred. With Ali retired from limited-overs cricket, he remotely stays in contention to overtake Younis Khan’s 10099 runs to become Pakistan’s highest run-getter in the whites.

7. Kane Williamson – 7115 runs:

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is seventh in the list and is currently the number one ranked Test batsman. Kane Williamson is one of the best batsmen to emerge out of New Zealand and has proved his mettle repeatedly, facing spin or pace in hostile conditions. The right-handed batsman has the knack of playing his strokes late, while his cover drives and straight drives are one of the most sumptuous ones.

Kane Williamson’s 7115 Test runs are the third-highest for New Zealand and need only 57 more to overtake former skipper Stephen Fleming as the second-highest run-getter. Williamson averages a healthy 54.31 and has crossed three figures 24 times. The 30-year old’s 24 centuries are the highest for New Zealand and is often counted amongst the fab four. With three Tests coming back to back next month, we could find the Kiwi skipper mustering plenty of runs.

6. Chris Gayle – 7214 runs:

Chris Gayle might not have played Test cricket since September 2014 but he hasn’t yet officially announced his retirement from the longest format and has become a T20 globetrotter; however, he is some distance ahead than a few greats. Chris Gayle was one of the few openers, who delivered a flying start to his team, putting the bowlers on the back foot from the get-go. The southpaw has also captained the West Indies in 20 Tests, but has won only three.

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle’s 7214 runs in 103 Tests have come at an average of 42.15 and are the eighth-highest for the West Indies. The Jamaican has scored 15 centuries and is one of the four batsmen to make two triple-centuries. The 40-year old scored 317 against South Africa in 2005, while his highest of 333 came against Sri Lanka back in 2010. Nevertheless, it seems inevitable that the veteran will not make a comeback in the whites.

5. David Warner – 7311 runs:

Australian opener David Warner is yet another swashbuckling opener and mostly plays contrary to the match situation. David Warner made his Test debut back in 2011 and has given consistent performances, with an especially formidable record at home. The southpaw is also the last batsman to score a triple-century in Test cricket.

The 33-year old averages 48.09 with a healthy strike rate of 72.68 in 86 matches with 24 centuries. Warner’s best score of 335* came against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in 2019. With the Ashes series, consisting of five Tests, set to take place down under later this year, the New South Wales batsman would fancy overcoming his hot and cold run in the whites in recent times.

4. Ross Taylor – 7379 runs:

Yet another Black Caps’ legend in Ross Taylor makes it to the list, having grown into a highly dependable batsman. Ross Taylor has held New Zealand’s middle-order in Test and ODI cricket together for more than a decade now and crafted several match-winning knocks. In 2020, the 37-year old passed Stephen Fleming’s tally of 7172 Test runs to become New Zealand’s highest run-getter.

Overall, Taylor has 7379 runs in 105 Tests, averaging a healthy 45.83 and hammered 19 centuries. The right-handed batsman’s highest score of 290 came against Australia at the WACA in Perth in 2015. The veteran has clarified he does not plan to retire anytime soon and would be seen in action next month when New Zealand battles India and England.

3. Virat Kohli – 7490 runs:

Indian captain Virat Kohli is one of the most prolific run-getters of this era and consistently scores across formats. Though Virat Kohli struggled early in his Test career, the runs start flowing off his bat towards the end of 2014. The 32-year old debuted in Test cricket in 2011, scoring his first hundred in 2012 and, with 27 centuries, has the joint-highest Test tons amongst active batsmen.

In 91 Tests, the right-handed batsman has amassed 7490 at 52.37 with seven double centuries under his belt. But Kohli has experienced a century-drought since November 2019, struggling to reach triple figures in any of the formats. But the Delhi-born cricketer has plenty of opportunities in the upcoming months to break that streak.

2. Steve Smith – 7540 runs:

From starting as a potential replacement for Shane Warne as a leg-spinner, Steve Smith has transformed into the best Test batsman of this era. Only a few have achieved Steve Smith’s consistency level in the whites as he has single-handedly carried Australia’s hopes in Test cricket for quite a few years now. Smith, ranked number two in Tests at present, averages a stunning 61.80 – only Don Bradman averages more than that.

In 2017, the former Australian captain achieved a career-high rating of 939 points – the sixth-highest in the longest format. In 77 Tests, the 31-year old has 7540 runs with 27 centuries, while his highest score of 239 came against England at Perth in 239. Smith, who has a reputation of playing exceptionally well against the Englishmen, will lick his lips when Australia take on their arch-rivals down under later this year.

1. Joe Root – 8617 runs:

England’s Test captain Joe Root occupies the top spot and is ahead of his rivals by a significant mile. He debuted against India in 2012 and played a significant role in England’s historic victory over there by showing plenty of promise. Joe Root bounced back exceptionally well after being dropped midway through the Ashes 2013-14. Since then, the right-handed batsman has established himself as a regular fixture in England’s Test team, with their fallible top-order often paving the way for the Yorkshire batsman to shine and perform the rescue work.

In 103 Tests, Root has 8617 runs at 49.24, with 20 centuries. The 30-year old has often come under the scanner for his lower conversion rate and is the only batsman amongst the fab four to have a Test average of less than 50 currently. However, it is crucial to remember that Root became the first skipper after 84 years in 2021 to register three 150-plus scores in Test consecutively.

Also Read: Pat Cummins Names The Toughest Batsmen In World Cricket To Bowl To

(All Stats Updated Till 28th May 2021)