Top 5 Highest Individual Scores In Test Cricket History

In test cricket, which is often regarded as the best form of the game, several outstanding individual batting feats have made history. These innings, which are marked by remarkable focus, ability, and stamina, demonstrate the mental and physical toughness needed to rule the longest version of the game. In the history of the red ball format, many legendary batsmen have played marathon innings, including Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, and Sir Gary Sobers, like legendary players. In this article, we are going to learn about the top 5 highest Individual scores in Test Cricket History.

1. Brian Lara (West Indies) - 400 not out vs England, St John's, 2004

West Indies’ former skipper Brian Charles Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test history. He scored 400 runs against England in 2004. He faced 582 balls during this outstanding innings, in which he smashed 4 sixes and 43 fours. This achievement is made more significant by the fact that ten years prior, Lara had held the record with 375 against the same opponent, only to have Matthew Hayden momentarily surpass it. Thanks to Lara’s unbeaten 400, West Indies scored 751/5 in the first Innings. In response, England could score only 285 runs in the first innings. After forcing the follow-on, England played sensible cricket in 2nd innings and scored 425/5, and the game went draw.

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

Just a few months before Lara's incredible 400, Australian opener Matthew Hayden had shattered Lara's previous record with a blazing 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth. Hayden's innings was characterized by his ferocious power and strong aim. He scored 380 from just 437 balls, including 11 sixes and 38 fours. Thanks to his 380-run innings, Australia scored 735 runs in the first innings. In response, Zimbabwe could score only 239 and 321 runs and lost the match by an innings and 175 runs.

3. Brian Lara (West Indies) - 375 vs England, St John's, 1994

In 1994, Brian Lara achieved a historic record-breaking innings of 375 against England. Lara's remarkable maturity and skill at the age of 24 allowed her to beat Sir Garfield Sobers' cricket score of 365*. His knock was full of beautiful strokes and strong drives, and he batted for more than 12 hours while facing 538 balls. Due to historic innings, the West Indies scored 593 runs in the first innings. In response, England also scored 593 runs due to Mike Atherton and Robin Smith’s centuries. The Result of the Match was a draw.

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

Sri Lanka’s former skipper Mahela Jayawardene scored 374 against South Africa in 2006. This is the highest individual score by a right-handed batsman in Test cricket. With this iconic innings, he also added a record-breaking partnership of 624 runs with Kumar Sangakkara, which remains the highest partnership for any wicket in Test history. He faced 572 balls, hitting 43 fours and 1 six. In this Match, South Africa bowled out on 169 runs in the first innings. In response, Sri Lanka scored 756 runs and took a 587-run first innings lead. The South African team played better in 2nd innings and scored 434 runs, but this was not enough to save the match. Sri Lanka won that match by an innings and 153 runs.

5. Wiaan Mulder (South Africa) - 367* vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2025

The latest name on this elite list is South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder, who scored an unbeaten 367-run innings against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, including 49 fours and 4 sixes. He faced just 334 balls during his incredible innings. This put him ahead of Sir Gary Sobers, the renowned batsman from the West Indies, who struck 365* runs against Pakistan in 1965. He declared the innings before achieving the greatest individual score in Test cricket history. In the ZIM vs SA 2nd Test, he is also leading South Africa as captain. He stunned the cricket community with his "declare the Innings" decision after a remarkable innings. After his remarkable innings, he said, ‘Brian Lara is a legend. It's appropriate for someone of that stature to maintain this record."If I get the chance to do it again, I will do it the same way. Brian Lara is a legend, and he deserves to maintain this record."