Australia's keeper-batsman Alyssa Healy broke yet another record today after she scored 170 runs off 138 deliveries against England in the final of the Women's World Cup 2022. She broke the individual record of the highest score in a world cup final (Men's and Women's). The previous record was made by former Aussies legend Adam Gilchrist, who smashed 149 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup.
Alyssa Healy scored 170 runs in the final against England Image - Female Cricket
Australia Women won the world cup for a record 7th time as they defeated England by 71 runs. Healy, Haynes, and Mooney powered the batting while Schutt, Jonassen, and King have done the rest in bowling.
Alyssa Healy won the player of the match award in the final. Meanwhile, she has also won the player of the series award for her brilliant performance throughout the tournament. She scored the most runs in this World Cup edition surpassing her fellow teammate Rachael Haynes.
Let's take a look at the players with the individual record of the highest score in a world cup final (Men's and Women's).
Cricket Australia on Friday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup 2025. The Australian team will enter the World Cup under the leadership of experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Alyssa Healy. Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux and allrounder Georgia Wareham have returned to the squad after recovering from injury.
The seven-time champion Australia is also the defending champion and will look to maintain its dominance in the upcoming competition. This tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
Sophie Molineux has been out since January due to a knee injury. However, she will not be able to play in the three-match ODI series against India from 14 to 20 September. Darcie Brown and Georgia Wareham also returned to the squad from recent injuries.
Ten of the 15 members named featured in the previous edition of the tournament back in 2022, with skipper Alyssa Healy taking charge of the squad in her third Cricket World Cup.
Australia to begin campaign on October 1
The Australia also includes 10 players who were also part of the last tournament played in 2022. This team also includes experienced players like Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner. Australia will begin its campaign against New Zealand in Indore on October 1.
Australia will finalise its preparations for the mega event with three ODIs against hosts India from September 14-20 in New Chandigarh and New Dehli, before opening its Women's ODI World Cup 2025 campaign.
Australia will face each of the other seven nations across the round-robin format, with the top four sides progressing to the semi-finals on October 29 and 30. The Final will be played November 2.
With his latest century against India at the Oval during the fifth test of the series, Joe Root has now climbed up to no. 4 position in the list of most test centuries in cricket history.
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
Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 30th Test century in 2002. Image | ESPNcricinfo
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.
Jacques Kallis celebrates his 40th test century in 2011. Image | Mint
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 celebrates his 40th test century against India in 2012. Image | Pinterest
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.
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.
Kumar Sangakkara celebrates his first century at the Lord's Cricket Ground in 2014. Image | Sky Sports
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.
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.
Rank
Player
Country
Test centuries
1
Sachin Tendulkar
India
51
2
Jacques Kallis
South Africa
45
3
Ricky Ponting
Australia
41
4
Joe Root
England
39
5
Kumar Sangakkara
Sri Lanka
38
6
Steve Smith
Australia
36
7
Rahul Dravid
India
36
8
Younis Khan
Pakistan
34
9
Sunil Gavaskar
India
34
10
Brian Lara
West Indies
34
11
Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lanka
34
12
Kane Williamson
New Zealand
33
13
Alastair Cook
England
33
14
Steve Waugh
Australia
32
15
Matthew Hayden
Australia
30
16
Virat Kohli
India
30
17
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
West Indies
30
18
Dom Bradman
Australia
29
19
Michael Clarke
Australia
28
20
Hashim Amla
South Africa
28
Note: Article was first written by Snighda Halder on 26th July, 2025 and later got updated by the editorial team.
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.
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.
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.
Joe Root scored his 38th Test Century on the third day of the fourth Test between England and India in Manchester. He is now the batsman with the most test centuries for England.
The Nation England has produced some extraordinary Batsmen in Cricket. They have impressed Cricket fans from all over the world with their achievements and glory. The test is considered the Best Format in Cricket. England has & had some players who are the best among many in the world of Test Cricket. Sir Jack Hobbs is considered the Best Test Batsman for England in Tests. He has scored 5410 runs in just 102 innings with 15 centuries and 28 half-centuries.
In recent times of greats, Joe Root has proven himself one of the greatest if not the greatest for England in Test Format as he has every right due to his achievements. Now, Let's give a look at the list of the Top 5 Batsmen with the most test centuries for England.
Top 5 Batsmen with the Most Test Centuries for England:
1. Joe Root | 38 Centuries
England batter Joe Root has written his name in the history books for England in Test Format by bringing up his 38th Test hundred on the third day of the fourth Test between England and India in Manchester. With this century, Root also climbed to second on the all time list of Test run-scorers. Moreover, he also overtook Graham Gooch as the highest run-scorer at Lord's in international cricket.
Root made his debut in 2012 against team India and since then he has played 157* test matches. He has scored 13,409 runs with an average of 51.17.
2. Alastair Cook | 33 Centuries
Image - ICC
Alastair Cook was one of the greats in Test Cricket of his generation. He made his debut against India in 2006 for the national team in Test Cricket. Cook played 161 Test matches in which he batted 291 innings. He scored 12,472 runs with an average of 45.35. His highest score was 294 and he made 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries for his team. Cook played his last Test Match against India in 2018.
Kevin Pietersen has proved himself across every format for England. He made his Test debut in 2005 against the Australian side at Lords. Pietersen played 104 test matches, in which he scored 8181 runs with an average of 47.29. He played his last test match against Australia in 2014. Kevin Pietersen is third on the list with 23 Centuries.
The judgment of cricket history is that the greatest batsmen the game has known are - WG Grace, Jack Hobbs, Walter Hammond, and Don Bradman. Others may come close indeed to those four but do not quite take place with them. Hammond made his test debut against South Africa in 1927. He played 85 test matches and scored 7249 runs with an average of 58.45. He is 4th on the list with 22 test centuries. The Great Walter Hammond played his last Test match against New Zealand in 1947.
Colin Cowdrey mostly known as Michael Cowdrey played Cricket for 21 years, One of the most durable batsmen in the history of Test Cricket. Cowdrey made his test debut in 1954 against the Aussies and played 114 matches, scoring 7624 runs with an average of 44.06. He is 5th on the list with the same no as Wally Hammond, 22 centuries. Michael Cowdrey played his last test match in 1975 against the Australian side.
Top 10 Players with the Most Centuries in Test Cricket for England:
Joe Root broke Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis’ record to become the third leading run getter in Test cricket. He is now only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting in the list of most Test runs in cricket history.
England’s star batter Joe Root took major steps on his march towards Sachin Tendulkar as he surpassed two more cricketing greats in his bid to become the top Test run-scorer on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. With this, Root has now become the third-highest run-scorer in the history of the format as he went past Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis. Root is now only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting in the list of most Test runs in cricket history.
So, let's take a look at the batters with Most Test Runs in Cricket History.
India's Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in Test cricket, having amassed an incredible 15,921 runs in his 24-year career. He played 200 matches and achieved the highest score of 248 not out, maintaining an average of 53.78. He also holds the record for most centuries in Test cricket with a humongous 51 centuries.
2. Ricky Ponting | 13,378
Span - 1995-2012
Innings - 287
Highest - 257
Ricky Ponting, also called Punter, played 168 Test matches and scored 13,378 runs in 287 innings. He had a strong average of 51.85 and hit 41 centuries, with a top score of 257. Known for his sharp pull shots and aggressive captaincy, Ponting remains one of Australia’s most successful and dependable batters.
3. Joe Root | 13,294
Span - 2012-2025
Innings -286
Highest -262
Joe Root, the former England captain, broke Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis’ record to become the third leading run getter in Test cricket. Root, who made his Test debut for England in December 2012 against India in Nagpur, needed 31 runs in the ongoing fourth India-England Test to overtake Dravid and Kallis, and he achieved the objective in the morning session of the third day’s play.
Playing his 157th Test (286 innings), Root owns 13,294 runs at an average of 50.93. Apart from 37 tons, he owns 66 half-centuries. His tally of 103 50-plus scores in Tests is the joint-second-most for any batter.
4. Jacques Kallis | 13,289
Span - 1995-2013
Innings - 280
Highest - 224
Jacques Kallis is South Africa’s greatest all-rounder and scored 13,289 runs in 166 Tests and 280 innings. With an amazing average of 55.37, he hit 45 centuries, including a highest score of 224. People often call him “Jakes”, and he was known for being rock solid with the bat and handy with the ball, too.
Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian batsman known as The Wall, was renowned for his solid defense and patience. He played 164 Tests, scored 13,288 runs in 286 innings, and had a strong average of 52.31. He hit 36 centuries, and his highest score was 270. Bowlers found it tough to get past him, which is why he earned the nickname The Wall.
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