Top 5 Batsmen with the Highest Individual Scores In Tests

The Test format is considered to be the most challenging format for any player. This format has been very difficult from the very beginning, especially for batsmen. More than 1000 matches have been played in the history of the red ball so far, but only one player has been able to touch the 400-run mark, while about 31 players have scored triple centuries. But Test cricket has seen some great individual batting performances that have left an indelible mark on the history of the game. These innings are not just about the number of runs, but also about the circumstances, pressure, and the mental toughness needed to stay at the crease for a long time. Today, in this article, we will learn about the top 5 players with the highest individual scores in Tests.

1. Brian Lara (West Indies) - 400* vs England (St. John's, 2004)

The uncrowned king of Test batting records, Brian Lara, holds the distinction of scoring the only quadruple century in Test history. In April 2004, at St John's, Antigua, Lara etched his name in legend with an unbeaten 400 against England. The 582-ball innings included 43 fours and four sixes, which not only helped West Indies declare the innings at a mammoth 751/5, but also earned Lara the record for the highest individual Test score. Lara's brilliant performance showcased his unique ability to combine artistry and consistent accumulation, earning him a place as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

2. Matthew Hayden (Australia) - 380 vs Zimbabwe (Perth, 2003)

Second on the list is Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who briefly held the record for the highest individual Test cricket score when he smashed 380 against Zimbabwe at the WACA in Perth in October 2003. Hayden's innings showcased his power and aggression. He hit 38 fours and 11 sixes off just 437 balls. This blazing innings not only set a new world record at the time but also showcased Hayden's dominance as an opener, leading Australia to declare at a mammoth 735/6 and eventually secure an innings victory.

3. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 374 vs South Africa (Colombo, 2006)

Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene smashed a majestic 374 against South Africa at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo in July 2006. In this brilliant and marathon innings, he hit 43 fours and a six off 572 balls. Jayawardene's innings was the cornerstone of a record-breaking 624-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara, the highest partnership for any wicket in Test history. Though he missed the world record, his innings remains the greatest innings played by a right-handed batsman in Test cricket.

4. Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies) - 365* vs Pakistan (Kingston, 1958)

Decades before Brian Lara's heroics, another West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers, held the record for the highest individual Test score. In February 1958, at the age of just 21, Sobers scored an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan at Kingston. This memorable innings, which stood as a world record for 36 years, showcased the immense talent of the young Sobers, who went on to become one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen.

5. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan) – 337 vs West Indies (Bridgetown, 1958)

Known as Pakistan’s “Little Master”, Hanif Mohammad etched his name in Test history with a magnificent 337 against the West Indies at Bridgetown in January 1958. The innings is famous not just for its score but also for its extraordinary duration. Hanif batted for 970 minutes, officially the longest innings in Test history, forcing Pakistan to follow on.