Test cricket is the best format of the game. The vagaries of Test cricket often challenge the best in the business. It is widely observed that the longer the format of the game bigger the test of your skill level and temperament. No matter how much space the limited-overs formats invade, Test cricket is here to stay. The modern-day Test batsman is a fine mix of caution and aggression.Here are top batsmen with most runs in test cricket. The quartet of Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root have held the audience’s attention for more than half a decade now.
StumpsandBails looks at the top 5 active batsmen with most Test runs:
#5 David Warner-7311 runs
David Warner is an underrated modern-day Test batsman. He hasn’t been given enough credit for his Test exploits as he is known for his limited-overs skills. Warner’s Test batting approach is moulded on the lines of Virender Sehwag. He believes in attacking right from the word go. He has been found wanting in subcontinental conditions. Warner went through a torrid run in England in 2019 where Stuart Broad dismissed him 7 times in 10 innings. But Warner has done well primarily in Australia and on fast tracks of South Africa. He sits at number 5 among the current batsmen with the most runs scored. He averages a fine 48.1 in 86 Test matches.
#4 Ross Taylor-7379 runs
Ross Taylor is another underrated batsman on this list. He has gone about scoring his runs in quite an unassuming fashion. Taylor much like Warner has struggled a bit in the subcontinent but has great numbers elsewhere. He is currently ahead of New Zealand’s batting talisman and colleague, Kane Williamson. Taylor has notched up 7379 runs at a healthy average of 45.8. The 37-year old Taylor is showing no signs of slowing down. Taylor will set up quite a task for Williamson to overcome once he decides to hang his boots.
#3 Virat Kohli-7490 runs
Top batsmen with most runs in Test Cricket. Virat Kohli is unarguably the best batsman across formats in world cricket currently. He is the only batsman to average more than 50 across formats. Kohli hit the Test batting peak when he took over the mantle as India’s Test captain. He has notched up 7 Double hundreds, a metric where he has no comparison currently among his contemporaries. Kohli’s 7490 Test runs have come at a wonderful average of 52.4. He is one of the current few Asian batsmen to have scored centuries in the SENA countries.
#2 Steve Smith-7540 runs
Steve Smith is widely regarded as the best Test batsman of the current generation. For someone who started his cricketing career as a wrist spin bowler, Smith has come a long way. He is part of the Fab-4 who has scored runs across the world and in trying conditions. Smith’s 774 runs against England post his comeback into international cricket was the stuff of legends. Smith has amassed 7540 runs in 77 Tests at an average of 61.8. Nobody in the modern game (who has scored more than 6000 runs) currently averages more than Smith.
#1 Joe Root-8617 runs
Joe Root is arguably England’s best Test batsman. He has the skillset, temperament, and class to overcome Alistair Cook’s Test record. Root was touted for greatness no sooner than he made his Test debut. He is one of the rare England players who has excelled in subcontinental conditions. Root has 8617 runs to his name at an average of 49.2. He did see a slump in form in the last two years. But Root made a stunning comeback in 2021. The race is on for the battle of Test greats amongst the modern masters!
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