List of Test cricket records

Donald Bradman, holder of several Test batting records including highest batting average

Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test cricket

Muttiah Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket

George Lohmann, the holder of best bowling average in Test cricket

Test cricket is played between international cricket teams who are Full Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC).^[1] Unlike One Day Internationals, Test matches consist of two innings per team, with no limit in the number of overs.^[2] Test cricket is first-class cricket, so statistics and records set in Test matches are also counted toward first-class records. The duration of Tests, currently limited to five days, has varied through Test history, ranging from three days to timeless matches.^[3][4] The earliest match now recognised as a Test was played between England and Australia in March 1877;^[5] since then there have been over 2,000 Tests played by 13 teams. The frequency of Tests has steadily increased partly because of the increase in the number of Test-playing countries, and partly as cricket boards seek to maximise their revenue.^[6]

Cricket is, by its nature, capable of generating large numbers of records and statistics.^[7] This list details the most significant team and individual records in Test cricket.

As of July 2024^[update], the most successful team in Test cricket, in terms of both wins and win percentage, is Australia, having won 414 of their 866 Tests (47.80%). Excluding teams who have only played a small number of Tests, the least successful team is Zimbabwe.

Australian Donald Bradman, widely considered the greatest batsman of all time,^[8][9] holds several personal and partnership records. He scored the most runs in a series, has the most double centuries and was a part of the record 5th wicket partnership. His most significant record is his batting average of 99.94. One of cricket's most famous statistics,^[10][11] it still stands almost 40 runs higher than any other batsman's career average. Don Bradman is the only player in the world to have scored 5000 runs against a single opposition: 5028 runs against England.^[12]

In the Manchester Test of 1956, England spin bowler Jim Laker took 19 wickets for 90 runs (19–90) which set not only the Test record for best match figures but also the first-class one.^[13] In taking 10–53 in the second innings he became the first bowler to capture ten wickets in a Test match innings, and his analysis remains the best innings figures. Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble was the second bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings, claiming 10–74 against Pakistan in 1999.^[14] In December 2021, New Zealand spinner, Ajaz Patel became the third bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings.^[15] West Indies batsman Brian Lara has the highest individual score in Test cricket: he scored 400 not out against England in 2004 to surpass the innings of 380 by Matthew Hayden six months earlier. Lara had held the record before Hayden, with a score of 375 against England 10 years earlier.^[16] Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq holds the record of the fastest Test half century, scoring 50 runs from 21 balls. The record for the fastest Test century is held by New Zealand's Brendon McCullum, who scored 100 runs from 54 balls in his final Test match.

The trend of countries playing more Test matches in the modern era means that the aggregate lists are dominated by modern players. Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan became the highest Test wicket-taker in December 2007, when he passed Shane Warne's total of 708 wickets.^[17] Within a year, the equivalent batting record of highest run-scorer had also changed hands: Sachin Tendulkar surpassed the tally of 11,953 runs by Brian Lara.^[18] The record for most dismissals by a wicket-keeper is held by Mark Boucher of South Africa^[19] while the record for most catches by a fielder is held by Rahul Dravid.^[20]

Listing criteria

In general the top five are listed in each category (except when there is a tie for the last place among the five, when all the tied record holders are noted).

Listing notation

Team notation

• (300–3) indicates that a team scored 300 runs for three wickets and the innings was closed, either due to a successful run chase or if no playing time remained
• (300–3 d) indicates that a team scored 300 runs for three wickets, and declared its innings closed
• (300) indicates that a team scored 300 runs and was all out

Batting notation

• (100) indicates that a batsman scored 100 runs and was out
• (100*) indicates that a batsman scored 100 runs and was not out

Bowling notation

• (5–100) indicates that a bowler has captured 5 wickets while conceding 100 runs

Currently playing

• † indicates a current Test cricketer

Seasons

• Domestic cricket seasons in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies may span two calendar years, and are by convention said to be played in (e.g.) "2008–09". A cricket season in England is described as a single year. e.g. "2009". An international Test series may be for a much shorter duration, and Cricinfo treats this issue by stating "any series or matches which began between May and September of any given year will appear in the relevant single year season and any that began between October and April will appear in the relevant cross-year season".^[21] In the record tables, a two-year span generally indicates that the record was set within a domestic season in one of the above named countries.

Team records

Team wins, losses and draws

Result records

Greatest win margins (by innings)

Greatest win margin (by runs)

Matches that finished with scores level

Narrowest win margin (by wickets)

Narrowest win margin (by runs)

Victory after following-on

Most consecutive wins

Team scoring records

Most runs in an innings

Fewest runs in a completed innings

Highest fourth-innings totals to win

Aggregate scoring records

Highest match aggregate

Individual records

Individual records (batting)

Career runs

Most career runs

Most career runs – progression of record

Most runs at each batting position

Highest career batting average

Series

Innings

Brian Lara, the first to score 400 in International Cricket

Highest individual score

Highest individual score – progression of record

Most runs in a match

Innings as captain

Innings carrying the bat

Calendar year

Most runs in a calendar year

Highest scores at each batting position

Most runs in an over

Centuries

Most Test centuries

Fastest Test centuries

Most Test double centuries

Fastest Test double centuries

Most Test triple centuries

Most Test quadruple centuries

Half-centuries

Most Test 50+ scores

Fastest Test half-centuries

Most fours in career

Most sixes in career

Ducks

Individual records (bowling)

Most wickets in a career

Most wickets in a career – Progression of record

Fastest to multiples of 50 wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin holds world record for quickest to reach 250, 300 and 350 Test wickets.

Best career bowling average

Best career strike rate

Most 5 wickets in an innings

Most 10 wickets in a match

Series

Innings

Best figures in an innings

Best figures in an innings – progression of record

Match records

Innings as captain

Match records as captain

Individual records (fielding)

Most catches in Test career

Individual records (wicket-keeping)

Most dismissals

Most catches

Most stumpings

Individual records (as an all-rounder)

10 wickets and a century in a Test match

Most 5 wickets in an innings and a century in the same Test match

Individual records (other)

Most matches played

Most matches played as captain

Most matches won as captain

Most Player-of-the-Match awards

Most Player-of-the-series awards

Partnership records

Highest partnerships

Highest partnership (for each wicket)

Highest overall partnership runs by a pair

See also

• Cricket portal

• List of Afghanistan Test cricket records
• List of Australia Test cricket records
• List of Bangladesh Test cricket records
• List of England Test cricket records
• List of India Test cricket records
• List of Ireland Test cricket records
• List of New Zealand Test cricket records
• List of Pakistan Test cricket records
• List of South Africa Test cricket records
• List of Sri Lanka Test cricket records
• List of West Indies Test cricket records
• List of Zimbabwe Test cricket records
• List of Cricket records
• List of One Day International cricket records
• List of Twenty20 International records

References

1. "Classification of Official Cricket" (PDF). International Cricket Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
2. "The difference between Test and one-day cricket". BBC Sport. 6 September 2005. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
3. Martin-Jenkins, Christopher (3 June 2005). "Flintoff given go-ahead to make it even more difficult for opponents". The Times. Retrieved 12 August 2009.(subscription required)
4. Williamson, Martin (14 March 2009). "Calling time on eternity". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
5. Williamson, Martin. "The birth of Test cricket". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
6. Martin-Jenkins, Christopher (2003). "Crying out for less". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online archive. John Wisden & Co. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
7. "Records – Test matches". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
8. Beard, Matthew (26 February 2001). "Donald Bradman, world's greatest batsman, dies at 92". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
9. "Player Profile: Sir Donald Bradman". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
10. Davis, Charles (4 August 2007). "Could this be the Don's missing four runs?". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
11. Leggat, David (23 August 2008). "The tainted stat that divides a nation". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
12. "All Records of Sir Don Bradman". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
13. "Records – First-class matches – Bowling records – Best figures in a match". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
14. "Pakistan tour of India, 1998/99". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
15. "Ajaz Patel: New Zealand spinner becomes third bowler in Test history to take 10 wickets in an innings". BBC Sport. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
16. Fraser, Angus (13 April 2008). "Lara smashes magical 400 to rewrite history". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
17. "Muralitharan breaks Test record". BBC Sport. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
18. "India v Australia 2nd Test". BBC Sport. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
19. "Eye injury ends Boucher's career". Cricinfo. ESPN. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
20. "Rahul Dravid announces retirement from international cricket". The Times of India. Times Group. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
21. "Match/series archive". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 14 August 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
22. "Test matches – Team records – Results summary". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
23. "Test matches – Team records – Largest margin of victory (by an innings)". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
24. "Test matches – Team records – Largest margin of victory (by runs)". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
25. "Records / Test matches / Team records / Tied matches". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
26. "England tour of Zimbabwe, 1996/97". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
27. "West Indies tour of India, 2011/12". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
28. "Test matches – Team records – Smallest margin of victory (by wickets)". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
29. "Test matches – Team records – Smallest margin of victory (by runs)". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
30. "Test matches – Team records – Victory after a follow on". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
31. "Test matches – Team records – Most consecutive wins". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
32. "Test matches – Team records – Highest innings totals". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
33. "Test matches – Team records – Lowest innings totals". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
34. "Test matches – Team records – Highest fourth innings totals in won match". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
35. "Records | Test matches | Team records | Highest match aggregates | ESPNcricinfo.com". espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
36. "Most runs in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
37. "Record-holders for most number of Test runs". Cricinfo Blogs. ESPN. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
38. "Most runs in each batting position". Howstat Test Cricket. Howstat. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
39. "Test matches – Batting records – Highest career batting averages". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
40. "Batting records". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
41. "Stuart Law, batting statistics in Tests". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
42. "Andy Lloyd, batting statistics in Tests". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
43. "Test matches – Batting records – Most runs in a series". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
44. "Test matches – Batting records – Most runs in an innings". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
45. "Test matches – Batting records – Most runs in an innings (progressive record holder)". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
46. "Records – Test matches – Batting records – Most runs in a match". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
47. "Test matches – Batting records – Most runs in an innings as captain". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
48. "Test matches - Batting records - Carrying bat through a completed innings". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
49. "Test matches – Batting records – Most runs in a calendar year". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
50. "Highest individual scores in each batting positions". Cricinfo. ESPNcrcinfo. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
51. "Test matches – Batting records – Most runs off one over". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
52. "Most hundreds in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
53. "Test matches – Batting records – Fastest hundreds". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
54. "Test matches – Batting records – Most double hundreds in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
55. "Records / Test matches / Batting records / Fastest double hundreds". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
56. "Ben Stokes Double-Hundred Video & Top 10 Fastest Double-Centuries of All Times". Total Sportek. 3 January 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
57. "Test matches – Batting records – Most triple hundreds in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 25 February 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
58. "Test matches – Batting records – View innings by innings list – Runs scored greater than or equal to 400". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
59. "Most fifties in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
60. "Test matches – Batting records – Fastest fifties". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
61. "Records–Test Matches–Batting records–Most fours in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
62. "Records / Test matches / Batting records / Most sixes in career". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
63. "Most ducks in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
64. "Test matches – Bowling records – Most wickets in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
65. "Australia v England in 1876/77". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
66. p44, Bill Frindall, The Guinness Book of Cricket Facts and Feats, Guinness Publishing, 1996
67. "Evolution of most Test wickets". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
68. "A Graphical View of India vs Australia, 2nd Test match, Chennai, played 14–18 October 2004". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
69. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 50 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
70. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 100 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
71. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 150 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
72. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 200 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
73. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 250 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
74. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 300 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
75. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 350 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
76. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 400 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
77. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 450 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
78. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 500 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
79. "Stats for Murali, Kumble, Warne and McGrath". Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
80. "Stats for Anderson who is the only other bowler who took 550 wickets up to now". Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
81. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 600 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
82. "Stats for Murali and Warne". Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
83. "Stats for Anderson who is the only other bowler who took 650 wickets up to now". Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
84. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 700 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
85. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 750 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
86. "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 800 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
87. "Test matches played by JJ Ferris". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
88. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best career bowling average". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
89. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best career bowling average (without qualification)". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
90. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best career bowling strike rate". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
91. "Test matches – Bowling records – Most five-wickets-in-an-innings in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
92. "Test matches – Bowling records – Most ten-wickets-in-a-match in a career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
93. "Test matches – Bowling records – Most wickets in a series". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
94. "Full Scorecard of England vs Australia 4th Test 1956 - Score Report". espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
95. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best figures in an innings". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
96. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best figures in a match". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 12 December 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
97. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best figures in an innings as captain". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
98. "Test matches – Bowling records – Best figures in a match as captain". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
99. "Test matches – Fielding records – Most catches in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 21 April 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
100. "Test matches – Wicketkeeping records – Most dismissals in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
101. "Test matches – Wicketkeeping records – Most catches in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
102. "Test matches – Wicketkeeping records – Most stumpings in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
103. "Shakib: Third cricketer to score 100 and take 10 wickets". 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
104. "Cricketers Who Have Taken 10 Wickets and a Century in a Test match". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
105. "Women Test matches | All-round records | 100 runs and 10 wickets in a match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
106. "Test matches – All-round records – Hundred and Five Wickets In an Innings". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
107. "Test matches – Individual records (captains, players, umpires) – Most matches in career". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
108. "Test matches – Individual records (captains, players, umpires) – Most matches as captain". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 1 June 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
109. "Test matches – Individual records (captains, players, umpires) – Most matches won as captain". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
110. "Records / Test Cricket / Individual records (captains, players, umpires) / Most player-of-the-match awards". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
111. "Records / Test Cricket / Individual records (captains, players, umpires) / Most player-of-the-series awards". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
112. "Test matches – Partnership records – Highest partnerships for any wicket". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
113. "Test matches – Partnership records – Highest partnerships by wicket". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
114. "Records–Test Matches–Partnership records–Highest overall partnership runs by a pair–ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 11 October 2022.

External links

• Records – Test matches ESPN Cricinfo
• HowSTAT!
• Test Records Cricket-Records.com
• Wisden Records in Test Matches Wisden