Scoring runs in Test cricket is the ultimate test for any batter. The batters must put in a lot of effort and use their skills to the fullest to earn their runs.
Over the 150 years of Test cricket’s existence, many batters have showcased their temperament to notch mighty scores.
Here, we’ll look at the 5 highest individual scores smashed by batters in Test cricket.
5. Garry Sobers (West Indies) | 365* vs Pakistan, 1958
Garry Sobers amassed an unbeaten 365 runs against Pakistan in 1958. With that, the legendary all-rounder surpassed Leonard Hutton’s 364-run mark to claim the top spot at that time.
Sobers walked in at No. 3, with the West Indies on 87 for 1. He joined forces with opener Conrad Hunte to form a 446-run stand for the second wicket.
Hunte fell on 533, but Sobers kept on batting until the Windies declared the innings on 790. Sobers remained unbeaten on 365 runs, batting for 614 minutes.
4. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) | 374 vs South Africa, 2006
It was the first Test of the 2-match series between Sri Lanka and South Africa. Host Sri Lanka had wrapped up South Africa for 169 runs in the first innings.
Spirited Sri Lanka were looking to get a good start but lost 2 wickets within 4 overs. Captain Mahela Jayawardene joined his batting partner Kumar Sangakkara in the middle to resurrect his team from the early fall.
Both batters went on to stitch a mighty 624-run partnership for the third wicket, which helped Sri Lanka get an unassailable lead over South Africa. Jayawardene played a brilliant captain’s knock, amassing 374 runs in 572 balls.
Also Read | The 10 Greatest Batsmen of all Time in Cricket
3. Brian Lara (West Indies) | 375 vs England, 1994
Even before his 400-run masterclass, Brian Lara gave a proper hammering to England bowlers back in 1994.
After electing to bat first, the West Indies lost an early wicket, prompting Lara to stride out at 11 for 1. He held on to one end, forging vital partnerships with fellow batters to push the West Indies total to 593 for 5 (declared).
Meanwhile, Lara accumulated 375 runs in 538 balls, a knock that included 45 fours and lasted for 766 minutes.
2. Matthew Hayden (Australia) | 380 vs Zimbabwe, 2003
Matthew Hayden surpassed Brian Lara’s 375-run record to log the highest individual score in Tests at that time.
Australia were hosting Zimbabwe for a 2-match Test series, and Hayden unleashed his beast in the first Test at Perth. Hayden opened the innings for Australia and stayed on the pitch until he lost his wicket.
The former left-hand batter stitched crucial partnerships with other batters and helped Australia declare on 735 for 6. Hayden was close to reaching the 400-run mark but got dismissed on 380, which included 38 fours and 11 maximums.
1. Brian Lara (West Indies) | 400* vs England, 2004
Brian Lara occupies the top position as he hammered the highest individual score in Test cricket history. He scored an unbeaten 400 runs against England in 2004 at St. John’s. And Lara remains the only batter to score 400 runs in a Test innings.
The West Indies were taking on England in the fourth and last Test of the series, which England were leading by 3-0. Batting first, the Windies were 33 for 1 when Brian Lara walked in at No. 3.
Then the former West Indies batter batted and batted and batted for 582 balls and 778 minutes without losing his wicket. Lara remained not out on 400, smashing 43 fours and 4 sixes.
He reclaimed his pole position from Matthew Hayden within 6 months and did the most unthinkable thing many batters crave to achieve.
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