Top 10 highest individual Test cricket scores ever recorded by batsmen, listed in descending order:
| Rank | Player | Score | Against | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Lara (WI) | 400* | England | 2004 | Antigua |
| 2 | Matthew Hayden (AUS) | 380 | Zimbabwe | 2003 | Perth |
| 3 | Brian Lara (WI) | 375 | England | 1994 | Antigua |
| 4 | Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 374 | South Africa | 2006 | Colombo (SSC) |
| 5 | Sir Garry Sobers (WI) | 365* | Pakistan | 1958 | Kingston |
| 6 | Sir Leonard Hutton (ENG) | 364 | Australia | 1938 | The Oval, London |
| 7 | Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 340 | India | 1997 | Colombo (RPS) |
| 8 | Hanif Mohammad (PAK) | 337 | West Indies | 1958 | Bridgetown |
| 9 | Wally Hammond (ENG) | 336* | New Zealand | 1933 | Auckland |
| 10 | David Warner (AUS) | 335* | Pakistan | 2019 | Adelaide |
Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in Test Cricket – Detailed Overview
1. Brian Lara – 400 vs England (2004, Antigua)*
Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 is the highest individual score in Test history. He achieved this monumental feat against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground in April 2004. What makes this knock legendary is that Lara had already held the previous record (375), but after it was broken by Matthew Hayden in 2003, he reclaimed the title in style. Batting for over 12 hours, Lara’s innings was a masterclass in endurance, stroke-play, and patience. He remains the only player to score a quadruple century in Test cricket.
2. Matthew Hayden – 380 vs Zimbabwe (2003, Perth)
Australian opener Matthew Hayden smashed the then-world record with a brutal 380 against Zimbabwe at the WACA Ground in Perth. This innings, laced with 38 fours and 11 sixes, showcased Hayden’s raw power and dominance. It came in just 622 minutes and helped Australia post a mammoth total. His record stood for less than a year before Lara took it back.
3. Brian Lara – 375 vs England (1994, Antigua)
Before his 400*, Lara had already stamped his authority in world cricket with a breathtaking 375 against England at the same venue, Antigua. This innings, played over three days, broke Sir Garry Sobers’ long-standing record of 365* and announced Lara as one of the greatest batting talents the game had seen.
4. Mahela Jayawardene – 374 vs South Africa (2006, Colombo)
Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene scored 374 against South Africa at the SSC in Colombo, the highest Test score by a Sri Lankan batter. This marathon innings came during a record 624-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara (287), which remains the highest partnership in Test history. Jayawardene’s technique and calm temperament were on full display.
5. Sir Garry Sobers – 365 vs Pakistan (1958, Kingston)*
West Indian great Garry Sobers set the world record with his unbeaten 365 at Sabina Park, Kingston, at just 21 years old. It remained the highest individual score in Tests for 36 years. Sobers, known for his elegance and flair, converted his maiden century into a world-record triple ton, showing a rare combination of talent and temperament.
6. Sir Leonard Hutton – 364 vs Australia (1938, The Oval)
England’s Sir Leonard Hutton scored 364 against Australia in 1938, a record that stood for nearly two decades. Played at The Oval, this innings was not just about personal glory—it helped England win the match by an innings and 579 runs, still the largest victory margin in Test history.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya – 340 vs India (1997, Colombo)
Sanath Jayasuriya’s 340 came in a match where Sri Lanka posted 952/6 declared—the highest team total in Test history. Jayasuriya, known for his aggressive batting in limited overs, showed his ability to build a long innings. His knock was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s record-breaking performance against India.
8. Hanif Mohammad – 337 vs West Indies (1958, Bridgetown)
Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad played one of the most resilient innings in Test history. His 337 came in the second innings of a Test match in Bridgetown, where Pakistan were following on. Batting for over 16 hours, Hanif helped draw a match that seemed lost. It remains one of the finest examples of grit and survival in Test cricket.
9. Wally Hammond – 336 vs New Zealand (1933, Auckland)*
England’s Wally Hammond was a dominant batsman of his time, and his unbeaten 336 against New Zealand was a testament to his class. This innings helped England score a massive total and remains one of the earliest triple centuries in Test cricket.
10. David Warner – 335 vs Pakistan (2019, Adelaide)*
Australia’s David Warner scored an explosive 335 not out against Pakistan during a Day-Night Test in Adelaide. Known for his attacking style, Warner played a more measured innings while still maintaining a high strike rate. His innings included 39 fours and a six, and he became the second Australian after Hayden to cross the 330 mark in Tests.
Test cricket is the oldest and most traditional format of the game, often called the ultimate test of a player’s skill, patience, and endurance. It began with the first official Test match played between Australia and England from March 15 to 19, 1877, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australia won by 45 runs. Initially, only England, Australia, and South Africa played Tests, but over time countries like West Indies, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Ireland joined this elite group.
Test matches last up to five days, with each team batting twice, and players wear white uniforms while using a red ball. Unlike limited-overs cricket, there is no restriction on overs, demanding great concentration and strategy from the players. Iconic rivalries like The Ashes between England and Australia have made Test cricket legendary, showcasing some of the sport’s greatest moments. Today, Test cricket continues to evolve with innovations such as day-night matches and the World Test Championship, but it remains the true measure of a cricketer’s greatness and the purest form of the sport.