Top 10 Highest Test Score by a Batsman
Test cricket is the ultimate format for any cricketer. It demands patience, technique, mental strength, and stamina. Over the decades, several legends have graced the format with marathon knocks that rewrote record books. This article highlights the top 10 highest individual scores in Test cricket, showcasing the endurance and brilliance of the greatest Test batsmen in history.
1. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 400 vs England (2004)*
- Venue: Antigua Recreation Ground
- Date: April 10–12, 2004
- Innings: 1st Innings
- Balls Faced: 582
- Fours: 43 | Sixes: 4
Brian Lara’s iconic 400 not out remains the highest individual score in Test cricket. Remarkably, he is the only player to have scored both 400 and 375 in Tests. Against England, Lara played a flawless innings, batting for over two days to reclaim his record from Matthew Hayden.
2. Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 380 vs Zimbabwe (2003)
- Venue: WACA Ground, Perth
- Date: October 9–11, 2003
- Balls Faced: 437
- Fours: 38 | Sixes: 11
Hayden’s 380 was an aggressive and dominating innings. At that time, it was the highest Test score in history before Lara reclaimed the record months later. His onslaught against Zimbabwe was characterized by power hitting and endurance.
3. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 375 vs England (1994)
- Venue: Antigua Recreation Ground
- Date: April 16–18, 1994
- Balls Faced: 538
- Fours: 45
Before his 400*, Lara stunned the world with a then-record 375, surpassing Sir Garfield Sobers’ long-standing record. This innings made Lara a global sensation and was the first step in establishing him as one of the all-time greats.
4. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 374 vs South Africa (2006)
- Venue: SSC, Colombo
- Date: July 27–29, 2006
- Balls Faced: 572
- Fours: 43 | Sixes: 1
Jayawardene’s 374 is the highest individual Test score by a Sri Lankan batsman. In a partnership of 624 with Kumar Sangakkara (287), he crafted a masterpiece, breaking multiple records in the process.
5. Gary Sobers (West Indies) – 365 vs Pakistan (1958)*
- Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston
- Date: February 26 – March 4, 1958
- Balls Faced: 614
- Fours: 38
At just 21 years old, Sir Garfield Sobers etched his name in history with a record-breaking 365*, a record that stood for 36 years. His innings was lauded for its grace, composure, and technical perfection.
6. Len Hutton (England) – 364 vs Australia (1938)
- Venue: The Oval, London
- Date: August 20–24, 1938
- Balls Faced: 847
- Fours: 35
Len Hutton’s 364 was a monumental innings that helped England score a then-record 903/7 declared. His knock remains the highest Test score by an English batsman to date.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 340 vs India (1997)
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Date: August 2–6, 1997
- Balls Faced: 578
- Fours: 36 | Sixes: 2
Jayasuriya’s 340 powered Sri Lanka to 952/6 declared—the highest team total in Test history. His innings was a perfect mix of aggression and concentration.
8. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan) – 337 vs West Indies (1958)
- Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
- Date: January 17–23, 1958
- Balls Faced: 970
- Fours: 24
Hanif’s 337 is one of the most heroic innings in Test cricket. Batting for 970 balls and over 16 hours, he saved the match for Pakistan after following on—a testament to resilience.
9. Wally Hammond (England) – 336 vs New Zealand (1933)*
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Date: March 31 – April 3, 1933
- Balls Faced: NA
- Fours: 34
Hammond’s 336* came in a two-day span and was the highest score at the time, overtaking Don Bradman. His dominant knock was an exhibition of classic English batsmanship.
10. David Warner (Australia) – 335 vs Pakistan (2019)*
- Venue: Adelaide Oval
- Date: November 29 – December 1, 2019
- Balls Faced: 418
- Fours: 39 | Sixes: 1
Warner’s 335* is the highest individual score by an opener in the 21st century. His attacking stroke-play and ability to bat through long innings make it one of the finest modern Test knocks.
Summary Table: Highest Individual Test Scores
| Rank | Batsman | Runs | Opponent | Year | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Lara | 400* | England | 2004 | West Indies |
| 2 | Matthew Hayden | 380 | Zimbabwe | 2003 | Australia |
| 3 | Brian Lara | 375 | England | 1994 | West Indies |
| 4 | Mahela Jayawardene | 374 | South Africa | 2006 | Sri Lanka |
| 5 | Garfield Sobers | 365* | Pakistan | 1958 | West Indies |
| 6 | Len Hutton | 364 | Australia | 1938 | England |
| 7 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 340 | India | 1997 | Sri Lanka |
| 8 | Hanif Mohammad | 337 | West Indies | 1958 | Pakistan |
| 9 | Wally Hammond | 336* | New Zealand | 1933 | England |
| 10 | David Warner | 335* | Pakistan | 2019 | Australia |
Highest Test Scores by Indian Batsmen
India has produced some of the finest Test batsmen in history, and several of them have delivered monumental innings on the global stage. Virender Sehwag leads the chart with his swashbuckling 319 against South Africa in Chennai (2008)—still the highest individual score by an Indian in Tests. Sehwag also scored two more triple and near-triple centuries: 309 vs Pakistan in Multan (2004) and 293 vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai (2009). Karun Nair joined the elite club with a *remarkable 303 against England in Chennai (2016)**. VVS Laxman’s iconic 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens remains a historic turning point in Indian cricket. Rahul Dravid’s 270 vs Pakistan, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 254 against South Africa, and the rising star Shubman Gill’s 269 vs England in 2025 further highlight India’s batting strength in the longest format. Here are some of the top Indian Test scores:
- Virender Sehwag – 319 vs South Africa (Chennai, 2008)
- Virender Sehwag – 309 vs Pakistan (Multan, 2004)
- Karun Nair – 303 vs England (Chennai, 2016)*
- Virender Sehwag – 293 vs Sri Lanka (Mumbai, 2009)
- VVS Laxman – 281 vs Australia (Kolkata, 2001)
- Rahul Dravid – 270 vs Pakistan (Rawalpindi, 2004)
- Shubman Gill – 269 vs England (Birmingham, 2025)
- Virat Kohli – 254 vs South Africa (Pune, 2019)*
- Virender Sehwag – 254 vs Pakistan (Lahore, 2006)
- Sachin Tendulkar – 248 vs Bangladesh (Dhaka, 2004)*
These innings reflect India’s evolution as a Test powerhouse, with a blend of aggression, classical technique, and mental fortitude.
Final Thoughts
Scoring big in Test cricket is not just about talent—it’s about temperament. These iconic innings stand as monuments to human endurance and cricketing genius. While T20s and ODIs offer thrill and flair, Test cricket remains the truest test of a batsman’s class, and these top 10 scores will continue to inspire generations to come.
