As of January 2025, here are the top 10 highest individual scores in Test cricket:
1. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 400* vs England
Date and Venue:
The record-breaking innings took place from April 10-12, 2004 at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Score:
Lara scored an unbeaten 400 runs off 582 balls, which remains the highest individual score in Test cricket.
Batting:
His innings included 43 fours and 4 sixes.
Lara’s remarkable concentration and skill were on full display, facing 582 balls and playing with remarkable patience and precision.
Match Context:
The West Indies were already in a dominant position in the game, and Lara’s innings contributed significantly to a total of 751/5 declared.
Historical Significance:
Lara surpassed the previous record of 380 set by Matthew Hayden of Australia.
This innings also helped the West Indies to a comprehensive victory in the match, with England being unable to chase down the target set by Lara and his team.
This innings is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the history of the sport.
2. Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 380 vs Zimbabwe
Date and Venue:
This remarkable feat was achieved during the 2003-04 Test series against Zimbabwe at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia. The match was played from October 9-13, 2003.
Score:
Hayden scored an unbeaten 380 runs off 437 balls, setting the record for the highest individual score in a Test match at that time.
Batting:
His innings included 38 fours and 11 sixes.
The innings was a display of power-hitting and patient accumulation, as Hayden combined aggressive strokes with solid technique.
Match Context:
Australia’s total in the first innings was a massive a record-breaking 735/6 declared.
Hayden’s innings helped Australia to set a huge target, with the match eventually being drawn after Zimbabwe could not challenge the mighty Australian total.
Historical Significance:
Hayden’s 380 broke the previous record of 375 by Mark Taylor (also of Australia) in 1998, but it was soon surpassed by Brian Lara’s 400 not out in 2004.
The innings was the highest score in Test cricket for nearly five years.
3. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 375 runs against England
Date and Venue:
This record-breaking innings took place during the 1994 West Indies tour of England. The match was played at The Oval in London, from June 9-14, 1994.
Score:
Lara scored 375 runs in a single innings, which was the highest individual score in Test cricket at the time.
Batting:
Lara’s innings lasted 538 balls, and included 45 fours.
This was a masterclass in concentration and stroke play, as Lara not only wore down the English bowlers but also played an array of exquisite shots.
Match Context:
The West Indies’ total was overwhelming, and the match ended in a draw, with England unable to chase down the target or surpass the huge West Indies total.
Historical Significance:
Lara’s 375 broke the previous record of 374 by Daryll Harper (also set against England).
This record stood for nearly 10 years before Matthew Hayden surpassed it in 2003, scoring 380, and was eventually broken by Lara again with his 400* in 2004.
This innings solidified Lara’s status as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
4. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 374 vs South Africa
Date and Venue:
Mahela Jayawardene achieved this feat during Sri Lanka’s 2006 tour of South Africa. The match was held at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, South Africa, from December 26, 2006, to December 30, 2006.
Score:
Jayawardene scored an unbeaten 374 runs in a single innings, which at the time was the highest individual score in Test cricket.
Batting:
Jayawardene faced 572 balls and hit 43 fours during his innings.
His innings was an outstanding display of patience, technique, and sheer determination, combining both solid defense and elegant stroke play.
Match Context:
Sri Lanka set a commanding total with Jayawardene’s marathon innings, and despite South Africa’s fightback, the match ended in a draw.
South Africa was unable to chase down the massive total, and the match was dominated by the Sri Lankan batsmen.
Historical Significance:
Jayawardene’s 374 broke the previous record of 375 set by Brian Lara in 1994.
This record stood for several years until Brian Lara himself broke it again with his 400* in 2004.
Mahela Jayawardene’s 374 is a memorable part of Test cricket’s rich history and remains one of the highest individual scores in the format.
5. Sir Garry Sobers (West Indies) – 365* vs Pakistan
Date and Venue:
This remarkable innings took place during the 1958 tour of Pakistan. The match was played at the Karachi Cricket Ground, Karachi, from February 1-6, 1958.
Score:
Sobers scored an unbeaten 365 runs off 532 balls, which was, at the time, the highest individual score in Test cricket.
Batting:
His innings included 38 fours and was characterized by elegant stroke play and superb concentration.
Sobers’ performance was not just a display of traditional technique but also of great mental strength, as he batted through much of the day.
Match Context:
West Indies dominated the match, and Sobers’ innings played a key role in setting up a large first-innings total.
The match ended in a draw, with Pakistan unable to chase down the target or challenge the West Indian total significantly.
Historical Significance:
Sobers’ 365* was the highest individual score in Test cricket at the time, breaking the previous record of 334 set by Donald Bradman.
This record stood until Brian Lara surpassed it with his 375 in 1994.
Sobers’ 365* is still remembered as a monumental achievement in cricket history and solidified his legacy as one of the game’s greats.
6. Leonard Hutton (England) – 364 vs Australia
Date and Venue:
Hutton’s historic innings took place during the 1938 Ashes series. The match was played at The Oval in London, from August 18-22, 1938.
Score:
Hutton scored an unbeaten 364 runs, which was the highest individual score in Test cricket at the time.
Batting:
His innings lasted 847 minutes (almost 14 hours) and included 35 fours.
Hutton’s knock was built on immense patience, skill, and concentration. It was a display of both technical proficiency and mental endurance.
Partnerships:
Hutton shared a massive partnership with Les Ames and others, helping England put up a large total in the first innings.
England declared at 903/7, with Hutton’s score being the foundation of the innings.
Match Context:
Hutton’s innings helped England set a massive total, and although Australia fought back, the match ended in a draw due to weather conditions and time constraints.
Hutton’s innings was a key reason why England managed to set such a daunting target.
Historical Significance:
Hutton’s 364 was the highest individual score in Test cricket at the time, breaking the record of 337 set by Don Bradman in 1930.
The record held for twenty years before Wally Hammond broke it with 200 runs in 1951, and it was eventually surpassed by Gary Sobers in 1958 with his 365* against Pakistan.
Leonard Hutton’s innings remains one of the greatest in Ashes history and stands as a key moment in the legacy of English cricket.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 340 vs India
Date and Venue:
Jayasuriya’s record-breaking innings took place during the 1997 tour of Sri Lanka. The match was played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from August 15-20, 1997.
Score:
Jayasuriya scored 340 runs, which was, at the time, the highest individual score in Test cricket for Sri Lanka and one of the highest in the world.
Batting:
He faced 578 balls and struck 36 fours and 3 sixes during his innings.
Jayasuriya’s knock was a combination of aggressive stroke play and solid defense. He was particularly strong against both pace and spin, using his feet effectively against spinners.
Match Context:
Sri Lanka’s total of 952/6 was a mammoth score, and although India fought back in their reply, the match ended in a draw due to the sheer weight of the runs accumulated.
Jayasuriya’s innings was a major factor in the team’s dominance throughout the match.
Historical Significance:
Jayasuriya’s 340 was a record for Sri Lanka and was the highest score in Test cricket by a Sri Lankan player at that time.
The record was broken by Mahela Jayawardene in 2006, when he scored 374 against South Africa.
Sanath Jayasuriya’s 340 is remembered for its attacking style and the significant role it played in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history.
8. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan) – 337 vs West Indies
Date and Venue:
Hanif Mohammad achieved this remarkable feat during 1958 when Pakistan hosted West Indies in a Test series. The match took place at The National Stadium, Karachi, from January 21-26, 1958.
Score:
Hanif Mohammad scored an unbeaten 337 runs, which was, at the time, the highest individual score in Test cricket.
Batting:
His innings lasted 16 hours and 23 minutes, making it one of the longest innings in Test history.
He faced 638 balls and hit 38 fours, playing with remarkable concentration, patience, and a solid technique.
Hanif’s innings was a masterclass in defensive and attacking cricket, as he meticulously built his innings while withstanding pressure from a formidable West Indian bowling attack.
Match Context:
Pakistan scored 657/8 in their first innings, with Hanif’s monumental knock forming the cornerstone.
The West Indies were unable to chase down the target, and the match ended in a draw.
Historical Significance:
Hanif Mohammad’s 337 was the highest score in Test cricket at the time, breaking the previous record of 334 by Don Bradman.
This innings held the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket until Gary Sobers scored 365* in 1958.
Hanif Mohammad’s 337 remains an integral part of Pakistan’s cricketing history and is a highly respected achievement in the annals of Test cricket.
9. Wally Hammond (England) – 336* vs New Zealand
Date and Venue:
Hammond’s record-breaking innings took place during 1933, when England hosted New Zealand in a Test series. The match was played at The Oval in London, from June 23-28, 1933.
Score:
Wally Hammond scored 336 not out, which at the time was the highest individual score in Test cricket.
Batting:
Hammond faced 515 balls and struck 35 fours during his monumental knock.
His innings was a perfect blend of solid defense, stylish strokes, and unrelenting concentration. Hammond was particularly strong off the back foot and played several powerful cuts and drives.
Match Context:
England dominated the match, and Hammond’s innings played a significant role in setting up a huge first-innings total.
The match ended in a draw due to the sheer weight of runs accumulated, although New Zealand was unable to challenge England’s total or chase down the target.
Historical Significance:
Wally Hammond’s 336 was the highest individual score in Test cricket at the time, surpassing the previous record of 334 set by Don Bradman in 1930.
This record stood for 25 years before it was broken by Gary Sobers in 1958 with his 365* against Pakistan.
Wally Hammond’s 336 not out is still remembered as one of the greatest achievements in English cricket and remains a high point in Test batting records.
10. David Warner (Australia) – 335* vs Pakistan
Date and Venue:
Warner’s historic innings took place during the 2019-2020Australia vs. Pakistan Test series. The match was played at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, from November 29 to December 3, 2019.
Score:
Warner scored an unbeaten 335 runs, which was a monumental innings in Test cricket.
Batting:
His innings lasted 418 balls, and he hit 39 fours and 1 six during his stay at the crease.
Warner’s innings was a display of patient and controlled batting, as he carefully accumulated runs, particularly in the early stages of the innings, before switching to more aggressive strokes as his century grew into a double century and eventually a triple century.
Match Context:
Australia’s dominance with the bat ensured a strong position in the match, and although Pakistan fought back, they were unable to challenge the Australian total significantly.
The match ended with a victory for Australia.
Historical Significance:
Warner’s 335* became the second-highest individual score by an Australian batsman in Test cricket, behind only Matthew Hayden’s 380.
It was the highest individual score by David Warner in Tests and one of the biggest innings in recent Australian cricket history.
David Warner’s 335* against Pakistan remains one of the great individual innings in Test cricket history, showcasing his ability to dominate in challenging conditions and his endurance at the crease.
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