First class cricket is all about showing your class to the world of cricket. Many cricketers have recorded uncountable numbers of milestones in first class cricket. However, West Indies legend Brian Lara is one of them who have smashed 501* runs in first class cricket which is the highest score in the format.

Also Read: Most international hundreds among active players

Brian Charles Lara Just the name is enough. A player who made and broke records on the cricket field. Lara is counted among the great batsmen of the world. June 6 is a very special day for Lara and her fans.

On this day(June 6) 28 years ago in 1994, the charisma that Lara did, became an example. If we talk about the highest score personally in Test cricket or first class cricket, then the name of Brian Lara comes first in the mind. This left-handed batsman played an unbeaten innings of 501 runs in county cricket on 6 June. In his innings, he hit 62 fours and 10 sixes.

Let's check out the complete list of players with the highest first-class score in an innings.

Highest First-Class score in an innings

Brian Lara - 501*
Hanif Mohammad - 499
Sir Don Bradman - 452*
BB Nimbalkar - 443*
Will Ponsford - 437
Will Ponsford - 429

The battle of supremacy in Test centuries has come a long way in cricket history. Some early established test records, defined by batting greatness, are nearly impossible to imagine being surpassed. The record for most test centuries in cricket history is one of them.

This prestigious list consists of legendary batters around the globe who have shaped the golden era of test cricket with their run-scoring consistency and centuries.

Discover the complete list of players with the most test centuries in cricket history and embrace their legacies.

Most Test Centuries in Cricket History

1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 51 centuries

The 'Little Master' Sachin Tendulkar stands right at the top with 51 test centuries in his career, spanning from 1989 to 2013. His career was a saga of brilliance against every bowling attack in every condition.

From being the youngest Indian to score a Test century at the age of 17 years and 109 days in 1990, to ending up having the most test centuries in cricket history, Tendulkar has achieved it all!

He has consistently scored tons, becoming the first and only player to ever cross the fifty-mark in test centuries. These numbers let us believe that maybe some records can never be broken.

Read Also: Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century

2. Jacques Kallis (SA) | 45 centuries

The legendary all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, graced the longest format from 1995 to 2013, amassing 45 test centuries. He is the only South African to feature at the top of this list and to have scored more than 30 test centuries.

Apart from personal milestones, his hundreds were often foundational blocks for South Africa's innings in the game. He provided the key balance the team needed, contributing to secure a win or draw.

3. Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 41 centuries

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, led Australia through a golden era, scoring 41 centuries between 1995 to 2012. Known for his aggressive yet classy style, he thrived especially in big matches, putting the opposition under pressure.

One of the memorable moments in his century collection is the twin centuries during his 100th test match against South Africa in Sydney. This came in 2006, where Ponting scored back-to-back 120 and 142* in two innings.

He is the 3rd batter to go 40+ in the list of most test centuries in cricket history.

Read Also: Most Test Runs in Cricket History (Men's)

4. Joe Root (ENG) | 39 centuries

England's highest scorer in tests, Joe Root, has scored 39 test centuries so far in his career. He has scored the most hundreds for his nation and is also the batter with the most test tons in WTC history.

He reached his 39th test century against India at the Oval, during the 5th test of their Anderson-Tendulkar series. Root is currently the World's No. 1 in the ICC Test batter rankings, and the only player in the top 5 of this list who has not yet retired.

Root's fiery form is a clear indication of him soaring higher in all charts of test cricket records, setting the standards for generations to come.

Read Also: Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar – Test Stats Compared: Can Root break Sachin's record

5. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 38 centuries

The Sri Lankan batting maestro, Kumar Sangakkara, is a perfect example of elegance and power blended together. His ability to score big placed him in the top 5 of most test centuries in cricket history.

Sangakkara scored 38 test centuries from 2000 to 2015. One of his defining moments in his career was his 287 runs against South Africa in 2006. This knock was a part of the record-breaking partnership of 624 runs with his teammate, Mahela Jayawardene.

Most Test Centuries in Cricket History (TOP 20)

3️⃣8️⃣

Joe Root scores his 38th test ton, equalling Kumar Sangakkara's record. 💯

He now has the 4th most centuries in test cricket history.

His 12 test tons against India is also a record! #JoeRoot #ENGvsIND #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/zqdcfUunfL

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 25, 2025

Here's the tabular breakdown of the Top 20 players having the most test centuries in cricket history, featuring 6 players from Australia, 4 from India, and several other cricketing nations.

Note: Article was first written by Snighda Halder on 26th July, 2025 and later got updated by the editorial team.

Scoring big runs in a Test series is one of the best ways to show a player’s talent and consistency. The highest number of runs ever scored in a single Test series belongs to Don Bradman, who set this record in the 1930 Ashes series with 974 runs. In this article, we’ll look at the top batters who scored the most runs in a series in Tests, their highest scores, and why their performances stood out. 

Also Read: Most Runs for India in a Test Series

Most runs in a series in Tests

1. Donald Bradman

• Matches - 5
• Runs - 974
• SR - 61.64
• HS - 334

Sir Don Bradman's staggering 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes series remains the most runs in a test series - a record that has stood unchallenged for over 90 years. 

Bradman demolished England's bowling attack with unprecedented consistency, amassing 974 runs at an extraordinary average of 139.14. His sequence of scores tells the remarkable story: 8, 131, 254, 1, 334, 14, 232. Throughout the series, Bradman scored at approximately 40 runs per hour without hitting a single six.

2. Wally Hammond

• Matches - 5
• Runs - 905
• SR - 35.89
• HS - 251

In almost any other age, Walter Hammond would have been acknowledged as the greatest batsman of his generation. Nothing seemed more certain than that he would dominate cricket for a decade after he scored 905 Test runs at an average of 113.12 on England’s 1928-29 tour of Australia. It was a new world record aggregate for a Test series, obliterating the 734 set by Herbert Sutcliffe four years earlier. 

With a highest score of 251, Hammond's outstanding performance throughout the series allowed England to outclass Australia by 4-1.

3. Mark Taylor

• Matches - 6
• Runs - 839
• SR - 44.96
• HS - 219

Under Allan Border, Australia dominated England in the 1989 Ashes and took the urn home with their 4-0 win. At the end of the series, Terry Alderman won the Player of the Series award from the Australian side for his superb bowling. Along with Alderman, another Aussie stalwart who shone in the competition was Mark Taylor as he consistently strengthened Australia’s batting department with his breathtaking performances.

Accumulating 839 runs with two centuries and five fifties in 11 innings of six matches, Taylor became the highest run-scorer in the series. In the inaugural Test at Headingley, Taylor steered the visitors to a 210-run victory with his valiant knocks of 136 and 60.

4. Neil Harvey

• Matches - 5
• Runs - 834
• HS - 205

Australian cricketer Robert Neil Harvey played during 1948-63 in Tests. He was known for entertaining the crowd his supreme batting technique and stroke-making. In the 1952/53 series against South Africa, he scored 834 runs in nine innings at an average of 92.66, with four hundreds and three fifties, and also brought up his top score 205 in the series.

Overall in 79 Test matches and 137 innings, Harvey scored 6,149 runs at an average of 48.21, with 21 hundreds and 24 fifties and a top score of 205.

5. Viv Richards

• Matches - 4
• Runs - 829
• SR - 69.78
• HS - 291

Sir Vivian Richards of the West Indies isn't too far behind when it comes to talking about batting greatness. It was during the Wisden Trophy series in 1976 in England where he displayed his pure class with the bat. The Antiguan batting stalwart dominated the Englishmen and plundered 829 runs at a staggering average of 118.42 in just four Tests, helping West Indies rout England 3–0. 

He smashed a massive 232 at Trent Bridge in the first Test. Then, in the fifth and final Test, Vivian recorded his career-best Test score of 291, which at the time was the highest individual Test score achieved by any visiting Windies batter in England.

Also Read: Most wickets vs England in England for India in tests | Bumrah leads the list

Most runs in a series in Tests | Top 30

Wiaan Mulder, captaining South Africa for the first time in only his 21st Test, posted the fifth-highest individual Test score by blasting an unbeaten 367 off 334 balls in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe. But Mulder, only 33 runs away from Brian Lara's 21-year world-record score of 400*.

Along the way, Mulder also became the 29th Test cricketer and only the second South African - after Hashim Amla (311 not out) in 2012 - to score a triple-century.

Let's take a look at the Test record of highest individual score by any batter in an innings in Test.

Also Read: Most Test Wins by a Team since 2010

Test Record | Highest individual score by any batter

5. Wiaan Mulder | 367* vs Zimbabwe (2025)

Standing in as captain in the second Test against Zimbabwe, Wiaan Mulder ended the first day on 264. On the second day, he quickly became the first South African captain and second player after Hashim Amla to record a Test triple ton, reaching there with a flick to deep square leg. Mulder raced to 367* at lunch on day two but declared soon after. He faced 334 balls and smashed 49 fours and four sixes in his innings.

Mulder had every chance to overhaul Lara's record of 400 but chose not to go for it. But he did break a number of records on his way to an unbeaten 367.

4. Mahela Jayawardene | 374 vs South Africa (2006)

In 2006, the then-Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene came mighty close to overhauling the Test record for the highest score. South Africa batted first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo and were skittled for 169. Sri Lanka slipped to 14 for 2 inside four overs, but then Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene took the field.

The duo added a world-record 624 runs for the third wicket. Sangakkara's innings ended on 287 on the third day but Jayawardene became just the second Sri Lanka batter to record a triple century. He reached there with a drive through covers off 491 balls. He fell on 374 to Andre Nel. Jayawardene faced 572 balls and hit 43 fours and a six during his innings.

3. Brian Lara | 375 vs England (1994)

In 1994, it was 25-year-old Brian Lara who etched his name in the record books by breaking Sir Garfield Sobers' long-standing Test record. Having already taken a 3-1 lead in the five-match series, West Indies went into the fifth Test against England brimming with confidence.

The hosts slipped to 12 for 2 inside but then Lara owned the stage. He reached his century on day one before tripling it by the end of day two. On day three, he overhauled Sobers' 365* with a pull off fast bowler Chris Lewis. Lara finally fell for 375 off 538 balls, smashing 45 fours during his knock.

2. Matthew Hayden | 380 vs Zimbabwe (2003)

Zimbabwe had a bowl in the first Test against Australia at the WACA, in Perth, a decision they would later regret. Matthew Hayden opened the innings and for the next 146-odd overs, he sent the Zimbabwe bowlers to all corners of the WACA.

Hayden became only the fourth Australia batter to reach a triple century in Test cricket when he pushed Heath Streak to mid-off, reaching the mark in 362 balls on the second day. It didn't take him long to overhaul Lara's record for the highest Test score by pushing Ray Price to long-on as the whole of WACA was on its feet. Hayden failed to reach the 400 mark though falling on 380, his innings consisting of 38 fours and 11 sixes.

Also Read: Most 5-wicket hauls by a captain in Tests

1. Brian Lara | 400* vs England (2004)

Brian Lara had done it once and held the record for more than nine years before Matthew Hayden broke it. So, he decided to do it again, both times against England, both times in Antigua. 

Lara reached his century off 131 balls, his double ton off 260 and then his triple century in 404 balls. And then on the third morning, six months after losing his record for the highest Test score, Lara reclaimed it with a fine sweep off spinner Gareth Batty, going past Hayden's 380. 

It didn't take him long to become the first and so far, the only batter in Test history to reach 400 test runs. He finished unbeaten on 400 off 582 balls, his innings laced with 43 fours and four sixes as West Indies declared.

In test cricket, we often expect batters to dominate the scoring. But what if the biggest surprise came from a bowler? We're talking about the incredible feat of Jasprit Bumrah, who broke all the previous records for most runs in an over in tests.

Dive into this list of players who shaped this record for most runs in an over in tests.

1. Jasprit Bumrah (35 runs) | India

• The over: 4, WD, 4, NB, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1
• Opposition: England

The current undisputed king of the "most runs in an over" record in test cricket is Jasprit Bumrah. He came out as an unlikely record-breaker and stunned everyone.

In July 2022, facing Stuart Board in England, Bumrah, who was captaining the side, smashed 35 runs in a single over.

The over included fours, a massive six off a no-ball, a wide, and even boundary off a bye, totalling 35 runs. Of these, 29 runs came off his bat directly.

Read Also: Fastest to complete 200 Test wickets by balls bowled

2. Brian Lara (28 runs) | West Indies

• The over: 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4
• Opposition: South Africa

The West Indies batting legend, Brian Lara, was the first to achieve this milestone of scoring 28 runs in a single over, which is the second-highest score.

In December 2003, facing South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, he showcased his destructive power with a combination of fours and sixes.

Lara's ability to dominate even the best bowlers was a hallmark of his career.

3. George Bailey (28 runs) | Australia

• The over: 4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6
• Opposition: England

A decade later, in December 2013, Australia's George Bailey equaled Lara's record during an Ashes Test against England in Perth.

Bailey hit 3 sixes and 2 boundaries, along with a quick two runs, to score 28 runs in an over facing England's pacer, James Anderson.

Read Also: Most Test wins as a captain

4. Keshav Maharaj (28 runs) | South Africa

• The over: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, b4
• Opposition: England

Adding to the list is another surprising knock of South Africa's left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who joined the list for most runs in an over in tests by scoring 28 runs off an over.

In January 2020, he took on England captain and part-time spinner Joe Root, in a match played in Port Elizabeth.

Other players with 25+ runs in an over in tests:

ICC tournaments is what for every cricket player is waits for. However, reaching the finals as a captain of their national side is a different kind of achievement for any player around the globe.

Meanwhile, in this article Sportzpoint will give you the details of the players who played the most ICC Finals as captain of their side.

Read Also: Player of the series winners in T20 World Cup History

Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 3 ICC Finals

• ICC ODI World Cup 2019
  
• ICC World Test Championship 2021
  
• ICC T20 World Cup 2021

The former blackcaps captain Kane Williamson has played 3 ICC finals as captain. That's include, 2019 ICC ODI World Cup, 2021 WTC and 2021 T20 World Cup.

In which, Kane led his team through the finals but failed two times to lift the trophy. However, New Zealand lifted the first World Test Championship under him in 2021.

Although, Kane loses the world cup 2019 final against England on a boundary count. After the loss in 2019 NZ again loses under Kane in the T20 World Cup 2021 final against the Aussies.

Sourav Ganguly | India | 3 ICC Finals

• ICC Champions Trophy 2000
• ICC Champions Trophy 2002
• ICC ODI World Cup 2003

The former BCCI President and Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly has guided India in 3 ICC finals. In those finals India lost two of them.

Sourav Ganguly's only victory in an ICC tournament, 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. However, that trophy was shared with Sri Lanka. Dada had two more hits at an ICC championship but unfortunately failed.

Ganguly had taken over the reins of the Indian Team after the infamous fixing controversy. A relatively inexperienced skipper then, Ganguly did well to help India reach the finals of the 2000 Champions Trophy.

The southpaw even hit a century in that game and had the match in control, but the Kiwis chased down India's target of 265 with two balls remaining.

Later, in South Africa, Ganguly led India to the finals of the 2003 World Cup but was blown away by a dominant performance by the Aussies.

Clive Lloyd | West Indies | 3 ICC Finals

• ICC ODI World Cup 1975
• ICC ODI World Cup 1979
• ICC ODI World Cup 1983

No true cricket fan can ever forget the name of the first-ever World Cup-winning captain Clive Lloyd.

Clive Lloyd is credited for leading West Indies to both of its ICC Cricket World Cup titles. He captained the West Indian side between 1974 to 1985 and moulded them into a dominant test-playing nation during his time.

West Indies won both the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup in 1975 and the second Cricket World Cup in 1979 under Lloyd.

However, in 1983 ODI World Cup Clive Lloyd's team loses in the finals against India. So the carebean great played 3 ICC finals as captain for his side.

Brian Lara | West Indies | 3 ICC Finals

• ICC Champions Trophy 1998
• ICC ODI World Cup 1999
• ICC Champions Trophy 2000

Another carebean batting giant, Brian Lara comes on the list of most ICC Finals as captain.

Lara has played 3 ICC finals as captain in his career and two of them are Champions Trophy. However, another one is ICC cricket World Cup in 1999,that they lost in the finals.

After the 1979 World Cup, West Indies had not won an ICC Trophy.

A legendary batsman, the task of winning a trophy fell on Brian Lara's shoulders. The most experienced ODI captain of the West Indies, Lara won one Champions Trophy but lost two of them in the finals.

Rohit Sharma* | India | 4 ICC Finals

• ICC World Test Championship 2023
• ICC ODI World Cup 2023
• ICC T20 World Cup 2024
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma is now the only captain to have led his team to the finals of all International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments: ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and World Test Championship (WTC). And he has achieved that in just three years' time.

In 2023, India qualified for the WTC final and the ODI World Cup final, losing to Australia on both the occasions. The next year, in 2024, India won the T20 World Cup under Rohit by beating South Africa in the final.

It was India's first ICC title in 10 years and the second T20 World Cup triumph since 2007.

India defeated New Zealand by four wickets to lift the Champions Trophy 2025 title. After this Rohit joins MS Dhoni as the two captains to have led India to victory in the tournament. India previously won the title under MS Dhoni's captaincy in 2013.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni | India | 4 ICC Finals

• ICC T20 World Cup 2007
• ICC ODI World Cup 2011
• ICC Champions Trophy 2013
• ICC T20 World Cup 2014

The leader who changed the face of Indian Cricket holds the second position in the Most ICC Finals as captain list.

From winning a T20 and an ODI World Cup to taking India to the top of Test Cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has done it all for the Indian Cricket Team. Apart from test mace, India has won three ICC trophies under his leadership.

Dhoni's journey of being a successful captain began when he led India to the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup win in 2007. However, his most significant achievement as the captain of the Indian Cricket team came in 2011.

Under his leadership, India finally ended their 28-year World Cup drought and defeated Sri Lanka to lift their second ODI World Cup. Almost every one of you might remember Dhoni's unbeaten 91 in the final, which was one of the factors that helped India win the trophy.

Finally, Dhoni also helped add ICC Champions Trophy 2013 to India's trophy cabinet. They defeated England and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the final.

Ricky Ponting | Australia | 4 ICC Finals

• ICC ODI World Cup 2003
• ICC Champions Trophy 2006
  
• ICC ODI World Cup 2007
  
• ICC Champions Trophy 2009

Former Australia skipper, Ricky Ponting is one of the most successful captains in the history of International Cricket. He made sure that Australia remains the dominating force in International Cricket after the retirement of Steve Waugh. 

Ponting led Australia in 77 Tests, 230 ODIs, and 17 T20Is.
Ricky Ponting led Australia to four ICC finals in his career.

Meanwhile, he wins four of them and became the most successful captain in cricket history. A fascinating thing about these four trophy wins is that they all came during just seven years, from 2003 to 2009.

Under Ponting, Australia first retained the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003. He came out as the third-highest scorer of the tournament with three centuries and won the man of the match award in the final.