Test Cricket

The top 5 highest test scores by batsmen

January 22, 2021

166

Brian Lara and Sir Garfield Sobers both are on the list of the highest test scores in cricket history. — 16-21 Apr 1994: Sir Gary Sobers of the West Indies congratulates Brian Lara also of the West Indies for his record 375 runs during the Fifth Test match against England at the Recreation Ground in St John's, Antigua. The match ended in a draw. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport

What are the top 5 highest test scores by batsmen?

Test match cricket has always been a simple game. Outscore the opposition and bowl them out twice within 5 days. As a result runs on the board are vital and the highest test scores in the history of the game have mostly resulted in wins.

It takes great concentration and skill to bat big and compile a massive innings in a test match. Only the best batsmen have the ability to do so.

There has been a number of scores that can be termed as “colossal.”

But, what are they and who scored them?

Brian Lara – 400

Brian Lara leaves the field after scoring 400 vs England for the Windies in 2004 at Antigua. — ST JOHNS, ANTIGUA – APRIL 12: Brian Lara of the West Indies leaves the field after declaring his innings on 400 not out, the highest ever test score during day three of the 4th Test match between the West Indies and England at the Recreation Ground on April 12, 2004 in St Johns, Antigua. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

Brian Lara scored a fabulous 400 against England at St Johns, Antigua in 2004. England were dominating the test series but Lara still came up trumps in the game.

He had been coming off poor form, for a batsman of his standards. Lara had only scored a 100 runs in the three preceding test matches.

Matthew Hayden had taken his world record of 375 the previous year and it was clear that Lara wanted it back. On a flat track, he showed his powers of concentration and ability to score big.

Matthew Hayden – 380

Matthew Hayden's 380 vs Zimbabwe is one of the highest test scores in cricket history. — PERTH, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 10: Matthew Hayden of Australia celebrates reaches 376 breaking Brian Lara of The West Indies world record of 375 during day two of the First Test between Australia and Zimbabwe played at the WACA Ground on October 10, 2003 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

Matthew Hayden had a field day out against test minnows Zimbabwe in 2003, scoring 380 at Perth. The pitch was quick and bouncy and so runs could be easily had, as long as you were a good player of short-bowling.

He smashed 11 sixes in his innings, which allowed him to score at just over a run a ball.

Hayden was both mentally strong and powerfully built. This meant that he had the ability to pummel bowling attacks, should they show any degree of vulnerability or miss their margin of error.

Picking West Indies all-time test XI

Joshua Da Silva’s chance to shine

Brian Lara – 375

18 APR 1994: ENGLAND WICKET KEEPER JACK RUSSELL WATCHES AS BRIAN LARA OF THE WEST INDIES SCORES 375 RUNS DURING THE FIFTH TEST IN ANTIGUA Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/ALLSPORT

There is no surprise to see Brian Lara on this list again. He broke a long-standing record held by Gary Sobers in 1994. He is a master in terms of appearing on the list of the highest test scores.

Again against England, Lara played beautifully with strokes all-around the wicket. The England bowling attack had no idea how to bowl to him. His 375 made him an overnight sensation.

Fancy reading an inside story of the drama?

Mahela Jayawardene – 374

Mahela Jayawardene is one of the players on the list of the highest test scores in test match history. — COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – JULY 29: Mahela Jayawardene celebrates the highest score by a Sri Lankan batsman of 374 runs during day 3 of the 1st test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the SSC Stadium in Colombo on July 29, 2006 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Touchline/Getty Images)

Mahela Jayawardene put on a record stand in test match cricket against South Africa in 2006. Along with Kumar Sangakkara, the pair put on 624 – a record which still stands as the highest test partnership by any pair in the history of cricket.

Jayawardene loves batting in Sri Lanka and he cashed in to score a massive 374 against South Africa. Overall, in Sri Lankan conditions, Jayawardene has scored 7167 test runs at a batting average of 60. This includes 23 test centuries. He is best known as a touch player, with silky hands.

Best streaming services to watch cricket free online

The challenges for cricket as an Olympic sport

Sir Gary Sobers – 365

BIRMINGHAM – AUGUST 14: Garfield Sobers batting, Alan Knott the wicket-keeper and Frank Hayes at slip, 2nd Test England v West Indies Edgbaston August 1973. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Widely recognised as one of the best cricketers of all-time, Sir Garfield Sobers scored a world record 365 against Pakistan in 1957/58.

This record stood for nearly 30 years. Sobers was an elegant left-handed batsman who had a full array of shorts all-round the wicket. At the time, Sir Garfield Sobers was just 21 years old. The Pakistani attack had a couple of key bowlers injured, which affected their potency.

He was excellent at driving, cutting and pulling the ball and put on a fantastic partnership with Conrad Hunte. Once he reached his century, he cut loose to demonstrate attacking batting of the highest quality.

We hope you enjoyed our list of “highest test scores by batsmen.”

Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images