Top 10 Highest Test Score by a Batsman: A Historic Look at Cricket’s Elite Scorers
Cricket, particularly Test cricket, remains the pinnacle of endurance, patience, and skill. One of the sport’s most celebrated achievements is scoring a triple or quadruple century. In this article, we uncover the top 10 highest Test scores by a batsman, detailing each player’s record, country, venue, opposition, and historical significance. From Brian Lara’s iconic 400* to Matthew Hayden’s 380, these towering innings define batting greatness.
Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or a stats enthusiast, this comprehensive guide showcases the milestones that shaped Test match history. Synonyms like “record-breaking innings,” “best Test knocks,” and “longest Test centuries” are also explored as we dig deep into this elite list.
📊 Quick Data Table: Top 10 Highest Test Scores in Cricket History
| Rank | Batsman | Score | Country | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Lara | 400* | West Indies | England | Antigua Recreation Ground | 2004 |
| 2 | Matthew Hayden | 380 | Australia | Zimbabwe | WACA, Perth | 2003 |
| 3 | Brian Lara | 375 | West Indies | England | Antigua | 1994 |
| 4 | Mahela Jayawardene | 374 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | Colombo (SSC) | 2006 |
| 5 | Garry Sobers | 365* | West Indies | Pakistan | Kingston, Jamaica | 1958 |
| 6 | Len Hutton | 364 | England | Australia | The Oval | 1938 |
| 7 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 340 | Sri Lanka | India | Colombo (RPS) | 1997 |
| 8 | Hanif Mohammad | 337 | Pakistan | West Indies | Bridgetown | 1958 |
| 9 | Wally Hammond | 336* | England | New Zealand | Auckland | 1933 |
| 10 | David Warner | 335* | Australia | Pakistan | Adelaide Oval | 2019 |
🏏 Breaking Down the Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman
1. Brian Lara – 400 Not Out (West Indies vs England, 2004)
Brian Charles Lara’s 400* not out stands atop cricket’s Everest. This legendary knock at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 2004 remains the highest individual Test score. Lara reclaimed the record from Matthew Hayden, and his innings included 43 boundaries and 4 sixes over 582 balls.
💬 Fun Fact: Lara is the only player to hold both the highest individual Test score and first-class score (501* for Warwickshire).
2. Matthew Hayden – 380 (Australia vs Zimbabwe, 2003)
The burly Aussie opener blasted 380 in Perth, breaking Brian Lara’s previous 375. Hayden’s aggressive stroke-play and dominant front-foot drives made this innings one of the most destructive in Test cricket.
🔗 Read more on legendary cricket innings from 100percentsurewins.com
🐐 Historical Greats in the Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman
Garry Sobers, Len Hutton & Hanif Mohammad
Before Lara and Hayden, Garry Sobers’ 365* stood as the gold standard for decades. He achieved it as a 21-year-old, displaying composure well beyond his years. England’s Len Hutton also makes the list with 364, a monumental effort against Australia in 1938.
Hanif Mohammad’s 337, often called “The Great Wall,” was a 970-minute vigil—one of the longest Test innings ever played. This knock helped Pakistan draw a match they looked certain to lose.
📚 Why Test Cricket Records Still Matter
In today’s T20-dominated world, Test match records like these prove the unmatched resilience and skill required in red-ball cricket. These legendary performances showcase:
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Mental toughness: Batting for multiple days under pressure
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Endurance: Coping with fatigue and varied conditions
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Shot selection: Precision over aggression
For statisticians and cricket lovers, the top 10 highest Test scores by a batsman isn’t just a list it’s a legacy.
🧠 Learn more about cricket’s statistical milestones on Wikipedia.
📈 Top Batsmen Who Nearly Made the List
While the above are the official top 10, players like Virender Sehwag (319), Younis Khan (313), and Inzamam-ul-Haq (329) were not far off. These innings, though slightly below the 335 mark, were significant in their own right.
Virender Sehwag’s 319 vs South Africa
Known for his explosive style, Sehwag’s 319 in Chennai remains the fastest triple-century in Test cricket in terms of balls faced (278). A masterclass in attacking Test batting.
🔍 Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman in One Innings
Let’s reiterate the exact-match keyword with user intent in mind. The top 10 highest Test scores by a batsman in one innings include both modern marvels and golden-age classics, proving that greatness spans eras. These innings required strategic discipline, team support, and sometimes even a bit of luck.
🌍 Country-Wise Breakdown of Test Score Records
| Country | Number of Entries in Top 10 | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 3 | Brian Lara (400*) |
| Australia | 2 | Matthew Hayden (380) |
| England | 2 | Len Hutton (364) |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | Mahela Jayawardene (374) |
| Pakistan | 2 | Hanif Mohammad (337) |
🧠 FAQs – Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman
❓Who holds the record for the highest individual Test score?
Brian Lara of the West Indies, with 400 not out against England in 2004.
❓Has any Indian batsman made the top 10?
No Indian batsman is currently in the top 10 highest Test score list. However, Virender Sehwag’s 319 ranks just outside at number 11.
❓Which player appears twice in the top 10?
Brian Lara—with scores of 400* and 375—appears twice, cementing his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest.
❓What’s the most recent entry into the top 10?
David Warner’s 335 not out against Pakistan in 2019.
❓Which venue has hosted the most entries from the top 10?
Antigua Recreation Ground, with both of Lara’s record-breaking innings.
❓ What is the top 10 highest Test score by a batsman?
The top 10 starts with Brian Lara’s 400 for West Indies*. Others include Matthew Hayden (380), Mahela Jayawardene (374), and David Warner (335*).
❓ What is Virat Kohli’s highest score in Test cricket?
Virat Kohli’s highest Test score is 254 vs South Africa* in 2019 at Pune.
❓ Who has the highest score in Test cricket ever?
Brian Lara holds the record with 400 not out against England in 2004.
❓ What is the highest individual score in Test by an Indian?
Virender Sehwag’s 319 vs South Africa in 2008 is the highest Test score by an Indian.
❓ Who has the highest Test score by an Indian captain?
Virat Kohli scored 254* as captain — the highest by an Indian skipper.
❓ What is India’s highest total in Test cricket?
India’s highest Test team total is 759/7 declared against England in 2016 (Chennai).
❓ What is the highest Test score by a batsman in India?
Karun Nair’s 303 vs England in Chennai (2016)* is the highest Test score in India.
❓ Who has the highest score in Test by Indian player in England?
Rahul Dravid scored 217 at The Oval in 2002, the highest by an Indian in England.
❓ What is Joe Root’s highest Test score?
Joe Root’s career-best is 254 vs Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2016.
❓ What is Shubman Gill’s highest score in Test?
As of July 2025, Shubman Gill’s highest Test score is 128 vs Australia.
❓ Did Shubman Gill score a double century in Test?
No, Shubman Gill has not yet scored a double century in Tests.
❓ What is Sehwag’s highest Test score?
Virender Sehwag’s top score is 319 against South Africa in Chennai (2008).
❓ What is the highest Test score by a team?
Sri Lanka scored 952/6 declared vs India in 1997 — the highest team total in Tests.
❓ Who holds the highest score in a Test match by a player?
Brian Lara’s 400 not out is still the highest score by a player in a Test match.
❓ Who has the most Test runs in an innings by an Indian?
Virender Sehwag (319) holds the record for most runs in a single Test innings by an Indian.
❓ What is Sunil Gavaskar’s highest Test score?
Gavaskar’s highest is 236 against the West Indies* at Chennai in 1983.
❓ What is Virat Kohli’s latest Test score?
As of the last 24 hours, Kohli hasn’t featured in the ongoing India vs England Test due to personal reasons.
❓ What is the India vs England 2nd Test score (July 4, 2025)?
India: 312/4 at stumps, Day 1. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul posted a 150+ partnership.
❓ Where to watch the India National Cricket Team vs England?
Live on Star Sports, JioCinema, and SonyLIV, depending on region.
❓ Who is Akashdeep in Indian cricket?
Akash Deep is an Indian fast bowler who debuted in Tests in 2024 against England.
❓ What is India’s current highest Test score by a player?
Virender Sehwag’s 319 still holds as the highest by any Indian.
⚡ Internal Recommendation (100percentsurewins.com)
For live predictions, scorecards, and betting insights, check out India vs England match updates.
🎯 Final Take: Celebrating Cricketing Immortality
The top 10 highest Test scores by a batsman is more than a stats sheet — it is the celebration of human willpower, strategy, and unmatched cricketing brilliance. From Lara’s sheer elegance to Warner’s explosive style, these innings inspire generations.
As cricket continues to evolve, these monumental knocks remain reminders of what can be achieved with a bat, patience, and a dream.
🔗 Recommendation
For more analysis on cricket stats and predictions, check out our article on most centuries in T20 international cricket — another testament to batting brilliance!