Top 30 Highest Individual Score In Test Cricket (2024)

In the history of Test cricket, Brian Lara’s monumental 400 not-out stands as the pinnacle of individual batting achievement. This extraordinary innings, scored against England in 2004, remains the highest individual score in Test cricket history. 

In this article, we’ll explore the most remarkable batting performances in Test cricket, focusing on the top 30 highest individual scores. We’ll also dive into the details of the top 10 innings, highlight a recent entry to this elite list, and examine the highest individual scores by Indian batsmen in Tests.

Highest Individual Score In Test Cricket

The pursuit of big scores has been a hallmark of Test cricket since its inception. Here’s a table showcasing the 30 highest individual scores in Test history:

Player	Score	Balls	SR	4s	6s	Team	Opponent	Venue	Date
Brian Lara	400*	582	68.72	43	4	West Indies	England	St John’s	10 Apr 2004
Matthew Hayden	380	437	86.95	38	11	Australia	Zimbabwe	Perth	09 Oct 2003
Brian Lara	375	538	69.70	45	–	West Indies	England	St John’s	16 Apr 1994
Mahela Jayawardene	374	572	65.38	43	1	Sri Lanka	South Africa	Colombo (SSC)	27 Jul 2006
Garfield Sobers	365*	–	–	38	–	West Indies	Pakistan	Kingston	26 Feb 1958
Len Hutton	364	847	42.97	35	–	England	Australia	The Oval	20 Aug 1938
Sanath Jayasuriya	340	578	58.82	36	2	Sri Lanka	India	Colombo (RPS)	02 Aug 1997
Hanif Mohammad	337	–	–	24	–	Pakistan	West Indies	Bridgetown	17 Jan 1958
Wally Hammond	336*	–	–	34	10	England	New Zealand	Auckland	31 Mar 1933
David Warner	335*	418	80.14	39	1	Australia	Pakistan	Adelaide	29 Nov 2019
Mark Taylor	334*	564	59.21	32	1	Australia	Pakistan	Peshawar	15 Oct 1998
Don Bradman	334	448	74.55	46	–	Australia	England	Leeds	11 Jul 1930
Graham Gooch	333	485	68.65	43	3	England	India	Lord’s	26 Jul 1990
Chris Gayle	333	437	76.20	34	9	West Indies	Sri Lanka	Galle	15 Nov 2010
Michael Clarke	329*	468	70.29	39	1	Australia	India	Sydney	03 Jan 2012
Inzamam-ul-Haq	329	436	75.45	38	9	Pakistan	New Zealand	Lahore	01 May 2002
Andy Sandham	325	640	50.78	28	–	England	West Indies	Kingston	03 Apr 1930
Virender Sehwag	319	304	104.93	42	5	India	South Africa	Chennai	26 Mar 2008
Kumar Sangakkara	319	482	66.18	32	8	Sri Lanka	Bangladesh	Chattogram	04 Feb 2014
Chris Gayle	317	483	65.63	37	3	West Indies	South Africa	St John’s	29 Apr 2005
Harry Brook	317	322	98.44	29	3	England	Pakistan	Multan	07 Oct 2024
Younis Khan	313	568	55.10	27	4	Pakistan	Sri Lanka	Karachi	21 Feb 2009
Hashim Amla	311*	529	58.79	35	–	South Africa	England	The Oval	19 Jul 2012
Bob Simpson	311	743	41.85	23	1	Australia	England	Manchester	23 Jul 1964
John Edrich	310*	450	68.88	52	5	England	New Zealand	Leeds	08 Jul 1965
Virender Sehwag	309	375	82.40	39	6	India	Pakistan	Multan	28 Mar 2004
Ross Cowper	307	589	52.12	20	–	Australia	England	Melbourne	11 Feb 1966
Don Bradman	304	473	64.27	43	2	Australia	England	Leeds	20 Jul 1934
Karun Nair	303*	381	79.52	32	4	India	England	Chennai	16 Dec 2016
Azhar Ali	302*	469	64.39	23	2	Pakistan	West Indies	Dubai (DICS)	13 Oct 2016

In October 2024, England’s Harry Brook etched his name into this illustrious list with a stunning 317 against Pakistan in Multan. Brook’s innings, scored at a blistering strike rate of 98.44, included 29 fours and 3 sixes. This remarkable performance showcased Brook’s potential as a future star in Test cricket.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the top 10 innings that have defined Test batting excellence:

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

Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 against England in Antigua is the stuff of legend. Over 778 minutes and 582 balls, Lara crafted a masterpiece, hitting 43 fours and 4 sixes. This innings not only broke Matthew Hayden’s then-record of 380 but also made Lara the first and only player to score 400 in a Test inning.

2. Matthew Hayden (380 vs Zimbabwe, 2003)

Hayden’s brutal 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth was a display of sheer dominance. His innings lasted 622 minutes and included 38 fours and 11 sixes. Hayden’s aggressive approach set a new benchmark for opening batsmen in Test cricket.

3. Brian Lara (375 vs England, 1994)

A decade before his 400*, Lara announced himself on the world stage with a magnificent 375 against England, also in Antigua. This innings, featuring 45 fours, broke Sir Garfield Sobers’ long-standing record of 365*.

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

Jayawardene’s 374 against South Africa in Colombo was a masterclass in concentration and skill. His innings spanned 752 minutes and included 43 boundaries, showcasing his ability to play long, match-defining knocks.

5. Garfield Sobers (365* vs Pakistan, 1958)

Sir Garfield Sobers’ unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in Kingston held the record for the highest individual score for 36 years. This innings, which included 38 boundaries, cemented Sobers’ status as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history.

6. Len Hutton (364 vs Australia, 1938)

Hutton’s 364 against Australia at The Oval was a marathon effort lasting 797 minutes. His innings, which included 35 fours, stood as the highest individual score in Test cricket for two decades.

7. Sanath Jayasuriya (340 vs India, 1997)

Jayasuriya’s explosive 340 against India in Colombo was a testament to his aggressive batting style. His innings, scored at a strike rate of 58.82, included 36 fours and 2 sixes.

8. Hanif Mohammad (337 vs West Indies, 1958)

Hanif Mohammad’s 337 against the West Indies in Bridgetown was an epic display of endurance, lasting 970 minutes. This innings saved the match for Pakistan and earned Hanif the nickname “Little Master.”

9. Wally Hammond (336* vs New Zealand, 1933)

Hammond’s unbeaten 336 against New Zealand in Auckland was a dominant performance that included 34 fours and 10 sixes. This innings showcased Hammond’s elegance and power.

10. David Warner (335* vs Pakistan, 2019)

Warner’s unbeaten 335 against Pakistan in Adelaide was a return to form for the Australian opener. His innings, scored at a strike rate of 80.14, included 39 fours and 1 six.

Highest Individual Scores For India In Test

Indian batsmen have also left their mark on Test cricket with some exceptional individual performances. Here’s a table of the top 10 highest individual scores by Indian batsmen in Tests:

Player	Score	Balls	SR	4s	6s	Opponent	Venue	Date
Virender Sehwag	319	304	104.93	42	5	South Africa	Chennai	26 Mar 2008
Virender Sehwag	309	375	82.40	39	6	Pakistan	Multan	28 Mar 2004
Karun Nair	303*	381	79.52	32	4	England	Chennai	16 Dec 2016
Virender Sehwag	293	254	115.35	40	7	Sri Lanka	Mumbai	02 Dec 2009
VVS Laxman	281	452	62.16	44	–	Australia	Kolkata	11 Mar 2001
Rahul Dravid	270	495	54.54	34	1	Pakistan	Rawalpindi	13 Apr 2004
Virat Kohli	254*	336	75.59	33	2	South Africa	Pune	10 Oct 2019
Virender Sehwag	254	247	102.83	47	1	Pakistan	Lahore	13 Jan 2006
Sachin Tendulkar	248*	379	65.43	35	–	Bangladesh	Dhaka	10 Dec 2004
Virat Kohli	243	287	84.66	25	–	Sri Lanka	Delhi	02 Dec 2017

Virender Sehwag features prominently in this list, holding the top three positions. His aggressive batting style revolutionized Test match opening, as evidenced by his 319 against South Africa in 2008, which remains the highest individual score by an Indian in Tests.

Karun Nair’s unbeaten 303 against England in 2016 is notable as it made him only the second Indian to score a triple century in Tests. VVS Laxman’s 281 against Australia in 2001 at Eden Gardens, while not the highest score, is often considered one of the greatest innings in Test history due to its context and impact on the match and series.

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• Highest Test Scores In Cricket
• Highest Partnerships In Test Cricket

Conclusion: Brian Lara’s 400* Runs Is The Highest Individual Score In Test

The highest individual scores in Test cricket represent the pinnacle of batting achievement in the sport’s most demanding format. These innings are not just about the runs scored, but also about the mental fortitude, physical endurance, and technical skill required to bat for long periods against the world’s best bowlers.

From Brian Lara’s record-breaking 400* to the recent addition of Harry Brook’s 317, these performances continue to inspire cricketers and fans alike. They serve as benchmarks of excellence and remind us of the incredible feats possible in Test cricket.

For India, the likes of Sehwag, Kohli, and Dravid have shown that they can compete with the best in the world when it comes to big scores. Their innings have not only broken records but have often been instrumental in shaping the outcome of matches and series.

As Test cricket evolves, we can expect to see more remarkable innings added to this list. However, surpassing Lara’s enormous 400* remains a challenge that will require an extraordinary combination of skill, opportunity, and determination.