Test cricket challenges batters with its demands for focus and resilience, rewarding those who build massive innings that shift games. These top scores, from Brian Lara’s unmatched 400* to Garry Sobers’ historic 365*, highlight endurance against quality attacks on varied pitches.
Batters like Lara, Matthew Hayden, and recent standout Wiaan Mulder have set benchmarks in individual Test records, often with triples or quadruples that include rapid scoring or marathon stays.
If hunting for Test batting highs, quadruple centuries, fastest triples, or youngest/oldest to 300, this piece covers the elite list with breakdowns, stats, and match contexts.
Who Holds the Record for the Highest Individual Score in Test Cricket?
Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket with an unbeaten 400 against England in St John’s on April 10, 2004. This quadruple century reclaimed his spot from Matthew Hayden after 10 months, both times against England at the same venue.
Lara’s knock lasted 582 balls, with 43 fours and four sixes, pushing West Indies to 751/5 declared in a drawn match. It also stands as the top score by a captain, blending flair and grit.
What Are the Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in Test Cricket?
The highest individual scores in Test cricket feature marathon efforts, often on flat tracks but against skilled bowlers. Here’s a ranked list with match details, balls faced, opponents, venues, dates, and highlights like boundaries, partnerships, and outcomes. These innings mix aggression with patience, shaping Test history.
#1: Brian Lara (West Indies) – 400 (582 Balls) vs England, St John’s, April 10, 2004*
Lara’s epic reclaimed the record, featuring 43 fours and four sixes over 778 minutes. He shared stands like 282 with Ridley Jacobs, declaring at 751/5 for a draw. It capped his second 300+ against England at Antigua.
#2: Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 380 (437 Balls) vs Zimbabwe, Perth, October 9, 2003
Hayden broke Lara’s mark briefly with 380, including 38 fours and 11 sixes. Australia declared at 735/6, winning by an innings and 175 runs. His knock set a new Australian high, blending power and placement.
Most Consecutive 100s in Test Cricket (Innings)
#3:Brian Lara (West Indies) – 375 (538 Balls) vs England, St John’s, April 16, 1994
Lara’s first record-breaker had 45 fours, surpassing Garry Sobers. West Indies declared at 593/5, drawing the match. At 24, he became the youngest to a Test 300+ then.
#4: Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 374 (572 Balls) vs South Africa, Colombo (SSC), July 27, 2006
Jayawardene’s 374 included 43 fours and one six, with a 624-run partnership alongside Kumar Sangakkara—the highest ever. Sri Lanka declared at 756/5, winning by an innings and 153 runs against a formidable attack.
#5: Wiaan Mulder (South Africa) – 367 (334 Balls) vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, July 6, 2025*
Mulder’s unbeaten 367 came in his captaincy debut, with 49 boundaries. South Africa declared at 626/5, winning by an innings and 456 runs. It’s the second-fastest triple by balls and fifth-highest overall.
#6: Garry Sobers (West Indies) – 365 (NA Balls) vs Pakistan, Kingston, February 26, 1958*
Sobers, at 21, became the youngest to 300+ with 365*, including 38 fours. West Indies declared at 790/3, winning by an innings and 174 runs. It held the record for 36 years.
#7:Leonard Hutton (England) – 364 (847 Balls) vs Australia, The Oval, August 20, 1938
Hutton’s 364 had 35 fours over 13 hours, helping England to 903/7 declared—the highest team total then. They won by an innings and 579 runs in the timeless Test.
#8:Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 340 (578 Balls) vs India, Colombo (RPS), August 2, 1997
Jayasuriya’s 340 featured 36 fours and two sixes, with a 576-run stand alongside Roshan Mahanama. Sri Lanka declared at 952/6, their highest, drawing but dominating.
#9:Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan) – 337 (NA Balls) vs West Indies, Bridgetown, January 17, 1958
Hanif’s 337 lasted 970 minutes with 24 fours, saving Pakistan from follow-on. They drew after trailing by 473, showcasing defensive mastery.
#10:Wally Hammond (England) – 336 (NA Balls) vs New Zealand, Auckland, March 31, 1933*
Hammond’s unbeaten 336 included 34 fours and 10 sixes in 318 minutes. England declared at 548/7, drawing the rain-hit match but setting a record pace.
These scores often faced weaker attacks yet required immense concentration, with four players hitting multiple 290+.
FAQ
Who Scored the First Triple Century in Test Cricket?
England’s Andy Sandham scored 325 against West Indies in 1930, at 39 the oldest to 300.
Who Is the Youngest to Score a Triple Century in Tests?
Garry Sobers at 21 years and 213 days with 365* against Pakistan in 1958.
How Many Batters Have Scored Multiple 290+ in Tests?
Four: Don Bradman, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, and Chris Gayle.
What Is the Fastest Triple Century in Test Cricket?
Virender Sehwag’s 300 off 278 balls against South Africa in 2008.
