List of England Test cricket records

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English

Joe Root in 2017
Former captain Joe Root, pictured in 2017, holds several England Test cricket records.

Test cricket is the oldest form of cricket played at international level.[1] A Test match is scheduled to take place over a period of five days,Template:EfnTemplate:Efn and is played by teams representing full member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[2][3] England was a founding member of the ICC, having played the first Test match against Australia in March 1877 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[4] Template:As of, they have played more Test matches than any other team, and of their 1085 games, have won 402, drawn 355 and lost 328.[5] With 37.1 per cent of matches won, England are the third most successful team in the history of Test cricket, behind Australia on 47.9 per cent and South Africa on 39.3 per cent.[5]

Middle-order batsman and former captain Joe Root holds several England Test cricket records. Making his Test debut in 2012, Template:As of he has scored 13,087 runs – making him the second England player to score 10,000 Test runs.[6] He has made a record 66 half-centuries and 36 centuries,[7] and was one half of the highest England Test partnership of 454. As a slip fielder, he jointly holds the overall Test record for the most catches taken with 210.[8][9] Captaining his side from 2016 until standing down in 2022, Root holds the record for the most matches played as English captain with 64.[10]

The most successful Test wicket-taker for England is James Anderson,[11] who made his Test debut in 2003 and retired in 2024. He played in a total of 188 Test matches and took 704 wickets,[12] both records for England.[13] He has also picked up five wickets in an innings on 32 occasions, which is the most for the national side.[14] The corresponding record for taking ten wickets in a match is held by Sydney Barnes, who achieved this feat seven times. He also holds the Test record for the most wickets taken in a series, having removed members of the opposing side 49 times during the England tour of South Africa in 1913–14.[15][16] Alan Knott is England's most successful wicket-keeper, having taken 269 dismissals.[17] England claims two age records: James Southerton as the oldest player to make his Test debut, at 49, and Wilfred Rhodes, aged 52, as the oldest cricketer to ever play in a Test match.[18][19] Template:TOC limit

Key

The top five records are listed for each category, except for the team wins, losses and draws and the partnership records. Tied records for fifth place are also included. Explanations of the general symbols and cricketing terms used in the list are given below. Specific details are provided in each category where appropriate. All records include matches played for England only, and are correct Template:As of.

Key
Symbol Meaning
Template:Dagger Player or umpire is currently active in Test cricket
* Player remained not out or partnership remained unbroken
♠ Test cricket record
d Innings was declared (e.g. 903/7d)
Date Starting date of the Test match
Innings Number of innings played
Matches Number of matches played
Opposition The team England was playing against
Period The time period when the player was active in Test cricket
Player The player involved in the record
Venue Test cricket ground where the match was played

Team records

Team wins, losses and draws

Template:As of, England have played 1,085 Test matches resulting in 402 victories, 355 draws and 328 defeats for an overall winning percentage of 37.1, the third highest winning percentage of Test playing teams.[5] England has played the highest number of Test matches, ahead of Australia which has competed in 874.[5] England is undefeated against Zimbabwe and Ireland, and has defeated Bangladesh on all but one occasion.[20] England played the debut Test matches of Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies – winning all of them except against Australia.[21]

Opposition First Test Matches Won Lost Drawn Tied % Won
Template:Cr [[English cricket team in Australia and New Zealand in 1876–77#First Test|Template:Dts]][22] 361 112 152 97 0 31.0
Template:Cr [[English cricket team in Bangladesh in 2003–04#1st Test|Template:Dts]][23] 10 9 1 0 0 90.0
Template:Cr [[Indian cricket team in England in 1932#Only Test|Template:Dts]][24] 137 52 35 50 0 38.0
Template:Cr [[Irish cricket team in England in 2019#Only Test|Template:Dts]][25] 2 2 0 0 0 100.0
Template:Cr [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1929–30#First Test|Template:Dts]][26] 115 54 14 47 0 46.9
Template:Cr [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 1954#First Test|Template:Dts]][27] 92 30 23 39 0 32.6
Template:Cr [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1888–89#First Test|Template:Dts]][28] 156 66 35 55 0 42.3
Template:Cr [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 1981–82#Only Test|Template:Dts]][29] 39 19 9 11 0 48.7
Template:Cr [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1928#1st Test|Template:Dts]][30] 166 54 59 53 0 32.5
Template:Cr [[English cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1996–97#1st Test|Template:Dts]][31] 7 4 0 3 0 57.1
Total 1,085 402 328 355 0 37.0
Last updated: 25 June 2025[32][33]


Team scoring records

Most runs in an innings

The highest innings total scored in Test cricket came in the series between Sri Lanka and India in August 1997. Playing in the first Test at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the hosts posted a first innings total of 952/6d. This broke the longstanding record of 903/7d which England set against Australia in the final Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval. This in turn broke England's 849 all out against the West Indies in 1930.[34]

Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 Template:Sort Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Cr Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1929–30#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Cr Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan [[English cricket team in Pakistan in 2024–25#First Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 2011#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 10 October 2024[35]

Highest successful run chases

The highest successful run chase came in the West Indies victory over Australia in May 2003 at the Antigua Recreation Ground. Set 418 for victory in the final innings, the hosts achieved the target for the loss of seven wickets. England's highest successful chase came in the fifth Test of the 2021 series against India at Edgbaston (held over until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). England reached the target of 378 runs with seven wickets in hand, having successfully chased a target of over 300 runs in Test matches on only four previous occasions.[36][37]

Rank Score Target OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort 378 Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 2021#5th Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort 371 Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 2025#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort 359 Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[2019 Ashes series#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort 332 Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1928–29#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort 315 Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[Australian cricket team in England and Ireland in 2001#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 24 June 2025[36]

Fewest runs in an innings

The lowest innings total scored in Test cricket came in the second Test of England's tour of New Zealand in March 1955. Trailing England by 46, New Zealand were bowled out in their second innings for 26 runs.[38] The equal twelfth-lowest score in Test history is England's total of 45 scored in their first innings against Australia in the first Test of the 1886–87 Ashes series.[39]

Rank Score OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 45 Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1886–87#First Test|Template:Dts]]
2 46 Template:Cr Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1993–94#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
3 51 Template:Cr Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 2008–09#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
4 52 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Fifth Test, 1948 Ashes series|Template:Dts]]
5 53 Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1888#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[40]

Result records

Wally Hammond circa 1930
In 1938, Wally Hammond led England to victory over Australia by an innings and 579 runs, the greatest winning margin by an innings in Test cricket.[41][42]

A Test match is won when one side has scored more runs than the total runs scored by the opposing side during their two innings. If both sides have completed both their allocated innings and the side that fielded last has the higher aggregate of runs, it is known as a win by runs. This indicates the number of runs that they had scored more than the opposing side. If one side scores more runs in a single innings than the total runs scored by the other side in both their innings, it is known as a win by an innings and runs. If the side batting last wins the match, it is known as a win by wickets, indicating the number of wickets that were still to fall.[43]

Greatest win margins (by innings)

The fifth Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval saw England win by an innings and 579 runs, the largest victory by an innings in Test cricket history. The next largest victory was Australia's win against South Africa in the first Test of the 2001–02 tour at the Wanderers Stadium, where the tourists won by an innings and 360 runs.[42]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 Innings and 579 runs ♠ Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Innings and 285 runs Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 1974#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Innings and 283 runs Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 2007#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Innings and 261 runs Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Bangladeshi cricket team in England in 2005#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Innings and 244 runs Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 2014#5th Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[44]

Greatest win margins (by runs)

The greatest winning margin by runs in Test cricket was England's victory over Australia by 675 runs in the first Test of the 1928–29 Ashes series. The next two largest victories were recorded by Australia including defeat over England in the final Test of the 1934 Ashes series by 562 runs.[45]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 675 runs ♠ Template:Cr Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1928–29#First Test|Template:Dts]]
2 354 runs Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2010#First Test|Template:Dts]]
3 347 runs Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[2013 Ashes series#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
4 338 runs Template:Cr Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia [[Third Test, 1932–33 Ashes series|Template:Dts]]
5 330 runs Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England and Ireland in 2016#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[44]

Greatest win margins (by 10 wickets)

England have won a Test match by a margin of 10 wickets on 21 occasions, the third highest behind Australia on 30 and the West Indies on 28.[44][46][47]Template:Efn

Rank Victories Opposition Most recent venue Date
1 6 Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 1951#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
2 5 Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 2024#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
3 4 Template:Cr Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India [[English cricket team in India in 2012–13#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
4 3 Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1932–33#First Test|Template:Dts]]
5 2 Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 1967#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
6 1 Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Sri Lankan cricket team in England in 2002#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 28 July 2024[44]

Narrowest win margins (by runs)

Michael Vaughan in 2006
Michael Vaughan led England to victory over Australia in the second Test of the 2005 Ashes series by a margin of two runs.[48][49]

England's narrowest win by runs was against Australia in the second Test of the 2005 Ashes series at Edgbaston. Set 282 runs for victory in the final innings, Australia were bowled all out for 279 to give victory to the hosts by two runs.[48] This was the second-narrowest win in Test cricket, with the narrowest being the West Indies' one-run win over Australia in 1993.[50]

Rank Margin OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[2005 Ashes series#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia and New Zealand in 1982–83#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1894–95#First Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Cr Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1928–29#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1998–99#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[51]

Narrowest win margins (by wickets)

Archie MacLaren in 1905
Archie MacLaren led the English team that lost the fourth Test of the 1902 Ashes series by a margin of three runs and won the fifth Test by a margin of one wicket.[52][53] This record still stands over a century later as England's narrowest win by wickets though they have subsequently lost a Test by one run.[51][54]

England have won by a margin of one wicket on four occasions, the most recent being the third Test of the 2019 Ashes series at Headingley. This match saw the hosts achieving their highest successful run chase in Test cricket of 359 runs,[55] one of only fifteen one-wicket victories in Test cricket.[51][56]

Rank Margin OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 1 wicket Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1902#Fifth Test: 11–13 August: England v Australia|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1907–08#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1922–23#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[2019 Ashes series#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
5 2 wickets Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1890#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1948–49#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1999–2000#5th Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 2000#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 1 September 2019[51]

Greatest loss margins (by innings)

England suffered their greatest defeat by an innings at The Gabba in the first Test of the 1946–47 Ashes series, the first Test match to be played in Australia after the Second World War.[57][58] Going down to the hosts by an innings and 332 runs, this is the fourth-heaviest defeat in Test cricket history.[42]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 Innings and 332 runs Template:Cr The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia [[1946–47 Ashes series#First Test – Brisbane|Template:Dts]]
2 Innings and 226 runs Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1973#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Innings and 215 runs Template:Cr Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2003–04#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Innings and 200 runs Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1936–37#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Innings and 180 runs Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1984#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[1989 Ashes series#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[59]

Greatest loss margins (by runs)

The first Test of the 1928–29 Ashes series saw Australia defeated by England by 675 runs, the greatest losing margin by runs in Test cricket. The results were reversed in the fifth and final Test of the 1934 Ashes series at The Oval where the tourists defeated the hosts by 562 runs, England's greatest defeat by runs.[45]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 562 runs Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1934#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 434 runs Template:Cr Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, India [[English cricket team in India in 2023–24#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
3 425 runs Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1976#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
4 423 runs Template:Cr Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand [[English_cricket_team_in_New_Zealand_in_2024–25#2nd_Test|Template:Dts]]
5 409 runs Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Second Test, 1948 Ashes series|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 17 December 2024[59]

Greatest loss margins (by 10 wickets)

England have lost a Test match by a margin of 10 wickets on 25 occasions, more than any other Test playing team.[59]Template:Efn

Rank Defeats Opposition Most recent venue Date
1 8 Template:Cr Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 2021–22#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
2 7 Template:Cr The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia [[2017–18 Ashes series#First Test|Template:Dts]]
3 4 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England and Ireland in 2016#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
4 3 Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[South African cricket team in England in 2008#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
5 2 Template:Cr Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India [[English cricket team in India in 2020–21#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
6 1 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Sri Lankan cricket team in England in 1998#Only Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 28 March 2022[59]

Narrowest loss margins (by runs)

Pelham Warner in 1906
Plum Warner was the captain of the English team that lost the first Test against South Africa in January 1906 by a margin of one wicket, the narrowest loss for England by wickets.[54][60]

Only two matches in Script error: No such module "age". years of Test cricket have been decided by a margin of one run. First was the fourth Test of the West Indian tour of Australia in 1992–93 where the visitors secured victory, which was equalled in England's loss in the second Test of their 2023 tour to New Zealand at Basin Reserve, Wellington. England had made New Zealand follow-on, but a second innings of 483 from the home team set a target of 257. This was also only the fourth time that a team made to follow-on had won a Test.[50][61]

Rank Margin OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort Template:Cr Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 2022–23#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1902#Fourth Test: 24–26 July: England v Australia |Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1884–85#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1882#Only Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Cr Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1924–25#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 28 February 2023[54]

Narrowest loss margins (by wickets)

Test cricket has seen fifteen matches decided by a margin of one wicket, with England being defeated in one of them.[56] The first Test of the 1905–06 series against South Africa at Old Wanderers saw the home side chase down the target of 284 runs in the final innings.[62]

Rank Margin OppositionTemplate:EfnTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 1 wicket Template:Cr Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1905–06#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
2 2 wickets Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1907–08#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1980#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Lord's London, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 1992#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Edgbaston Birmingham, England [[2023 Ashes series#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 16 August 2023[54]

Individual records

Len Hutton in 1938
Len Hutton has scored the highest individual Test score (364) for England.[63]

Batting records

Most career runs

A run is the basic means of scoring in cricket. A run is scored when the batsman hits the ball with his bat and with his partner runs the length of Template:Convert of the pitch.[64]

India's Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs in Test cricket with 15,921. Second is Ricky Ponting of Australia with 13,378 ahead of Jacques Kallis from South Africa in third with 13,289. Joe Root, one of two England batsman to have scored more than 10,000 runs in Test cricket, is in fifth with 13,087.[6]

Rank Runs Player Innings Period
1 13,087 Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 281 2012–2025
2 12,472 Template:Sortname 291 2006–2018
3 8,900 Template:Sortname 215 1975–1995
4 8,463 Template:Sortname 235 1990–2003
5 8,231 Template:Sortname 204 1978–1992
6 8,181 Kevin Pietersen 181 2005–2014
7 8,114 Geoff Boycott 193 1964–1982
8 7,728 Mike Atherton 212 1989–2001
9 7,727 Ian Bell 205 2004–2015
10 7,624 Colin Cowdrey 188 1954–1975
Last updated: 24 June 2025[63]

Highest individual score

The final Test of the 2003–04 series of the Wisden Trophy, contested between England and the West Indies, at the Antigua Recreation Ground saw Brian Lara of the West Indies set the highest Test score with 400 not out.[65] Len Hutton's score of 364 runs against Australia during the final Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval is the sixth highest individual score in Test cricket and the highest by an England player. Wally Hammond's 336, scored against New Zealand in 1933, is the third highest not out Test innings and the ninth highest overall.[66] Hutton's, Hammond's and Andy Sandham's 325 against the West Indies in 1930 were Test record scores at the time they were scored.[67]

Rank Runs Player Opposition Venue Date
1 364 Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 336* Template:Sortname Template:Cr Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1932–33#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
3 333 Template:Sortname Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 1990#First Test|Template:Dts]]
4 325 Template:Sortname Template:Cr Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1929–30#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
5 317 Template:Sortname Template:Cr Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan [[English cricket team in Pakistan in 2024–25#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 10 October 2024[68]

Highest career average

Herbert Sutcliffe in 1933
Herbert Sutcliffe has the highest completed career batting average for England with 60.73.[69]

A batsman's batting average is the total number of runs they have scored divided by the number of times they have been dismissed.[70]

Australia's Don Bradman, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time, finished his Test career with an average of 99.94.[71] With 60.73, Herbert Sutcliffe is one of only five batsmen to finish his international career with an average above 60.[72]

Rank Average Player Runs Innings Not out Period
1 60.73 Template:Sortname 4,555 84 9 1924–1935
2 59.23 Template:Sortname 1,540 31 5 1931–1939
3 58.67 Template:Sortname 6,806 131 15 1955–1968
4 58.45 Template:Sortname 7,249 140 16 1927–1947
5 58.04 Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 2,438 43 1 2022–2025
Qualification: 20 innings. Last updated: 25 June 2025[69]

Most half-centuries

A half-century is a score of between 50 and 99 runs. Statistically, once a batsman's score reaches 100, it is no longer considered a half-century but a century.[73]

Sachin Tendulkar (India) has scored the most half-centuries in Test cricket with 68, and is followed by Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) and England's Joe Root with 66 fifties to their name.[74]

Rank Half centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 66 Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 281 13,087 2012–2025
2 57 Template:Sortname 291 12,472 2006–2018
3 46 Template:Sortname 205 7,727 2004–2015
Template:Sortname 212 7,728 1989–2001
Template:Sortname 215 8,900 1975–1995
Last updated: 24 June 2025[75]

Most centuries

A century is a score of 100 or more runs in a single innings.[76]

Tendulkar has also scored the most centuries in Test cricket with 51. South Africa's Jacques Kallis is next on 45 and Ricky Ponting with 41 hundreds is in third. The highest ranked England player is Joe Root in fifth place, with 36 centuries.[77]

Rank Centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 36 Joe RootTemplate:Dagger 281 13,087 2012–2025
2 33 Alastair Cook 291 12,472 2006–2018
3 23 Template:Sortname 181 8,181 2005–2014
4 22 Template:Sortname 140 7,249 1927–1947
Template:Sortname 188 7,624 1954–1975
Template:Sortname 193 8,114 1964–1982
Template:Sortname 205 7,727 2004–2015
Last updated: 25 June 2025[7]

Most double centuries

Wally Hammond in February 1933
Wally Hammond has scored the most double centuries for England with seven and holds the England record for the most runs scored in a series with 905 runs during the 1928–29 Ashes series.[78][79]

A double century is a score of 200 or more runs in a single innings.

Bradman holds the Test record for the most double centuries scored with twelve, one ahead of Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara who finished his career with eleven. In third is Brian Lara of the West Indies with nine. England's Wally Hammond, India's Virat Kohli and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka have all reached the mark on seven occasions.[78]

Rank Double centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 7 Template:Sortname 140 7,249 1927–1947
2 6 Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 281 13,087 2012–2025
3 5 Template:Sortname 291 12,472 2006–2018
4 4 Template:Sortname 138 6,971 1937–1955
5 3 Template:Sortname 181 8,181 2005–2014
Last updated: 24 June 2025[80]

Most triple centuries

A triple century is a score of 300 or more runs in a single innings.

Four cricketers hold the Test record for the most triple centuries scored with two – Don Bradman, India's Virender Sehwag and West Indians Chris Gayle and Brian Lara.[81] Six England players have scored a single Test triple century with Harry Brook the most recent to do so in 2024, Template:As of.[82]

Rank Triple centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 1 Template:Sortname 23 879 1921–1930
Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 43 2,438 2022–2025
Template:Sortname 127 5,138 1963–1976
Template:Sortname 138 6,971 1937–1955
Template:Sortname 140 7,249 1927–1947
Template:Sortname 215 8,900 1975–1995
Last updated: 25 June 2025[83]

Most runs in a series

The 1930 Ashes series in England saw Bradman set the record for the most runs scored in a single series, falling just 26 short of 1,000 runs. He is followed by Wally Hammond with 905 runs scored in the 1928–29 Ashes series. Alastair Cook's 766 runs scored during the 2010–11 Ashes series ranks in 14th.[79]

Rank Runs Player Matches Innings Series
1 905 Template:Sortname 5 9 Template:Sort
2 766 Template:Sortname 5 7 Template:Sort
3 753 Template:Sortname 5 8 Template:Sort
4 752 Template:Sortname 3 6 Template:Sort
5 737 Template:Sortname 5 9 Template:Sort
Last updated: 5 July 2022[84]

Most ducks

A duck refers to a batsman being dismissed without scoring a run.[85] Former West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh has scored the highest number of ducks in Test cricket with 43, followed by England's Stuart Broad with 39. James Anderson, with 34 scoreless innings, is seventh on the list.[86]

Rank Ducks Player Matches Innings Period
1 39 Template:Sortname 167 244 2007–2023
2 34 Template:Sortname 188 265 2003–2024
3 20 Template:Sortname 50 68 2006–2013
Template:Sortname 62 84 2002–2009
Template:Sortname 115 212 1989–2001
Last updated: 28 July 2024[87]

Bowling records

James Anderson in 2014
James Anderson holds the record for the most wickets taken by a fast bowler in Test cricket with 704.[12]

Most career wickets

A bowler takes the wicket of a batsman when the form of dismissal is bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or hit wicket. If the batsman is dismissed by run out, obstructing the field, handling the ball, hitting the ball twice or timed out the bowler does not receive credit.

Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for taking the most wickets in Test cricket with 800, followed by Australia's Shane Warne who previously held the record with 708.[88][89] James Anderson of England is third on the list with 704 Test wickets to his name, having passed Australia's Glenn McGrath to become the fast bowler with the most Test wickets in September 2018.[12][90] Stuart Broad, with 604, is the second-highest England Test wicket-taker and fifth overall, after becoming the second fast bowler to overtake McGrath's total of 563 wickets in September 2022.[88][91] Of genuine all-rounders, no England player has taken more wickets than Ian Botham, who also scored 5,200 Test runs.[92][93]

Rank Wickets Player Matches Innings Runs Period
1 704 Template:Sortname 188 350 18,627 2003–2024
2 604 Template:Sortname 167 309 16,719 2007–2023
3 383 Template:Sortname 102 168 10,878 1977–1992
4 325 Template:Sortname 90 165 8,190 1971–1984
5 307 Template:Sortname 67 127 6,625 1952–1965
6 297 Derek Underwood 86 151 7,674 1966–1982
7 255 Graeme Swann 60 109 7,642 2008–2013
8 252 Brian Statham 70 129 6,261 1951–1965
9 248 Matthew Hoggard 67 122 7,564 2000–2008
10 236 Alec Bedser 51 92 5,876 1946–1955
Last updated: 12 July 2024[11]

Best figures in an innings

Bowling figures refers to the number of the wickets a bowler has taken and the number of runs conceded.[94]

There have been three occasions in Test cricket where a bowler has taken all ten wickets in a single innings – Jim Laker of England took 10/53 against Australia in 1956, India's Anil Kumble in 1999 returned figures of 10/74 against Pakistan and in 2021 Ajaz Patel of New Zealand took 10/119 against India. George Lohmann, one of sixteen bowlers who have taken nine wickets in a Test match innings, sits fourth on the list taking figures of 9/28 against South Africa in 1896.[95]

Rank Figures Player OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1956#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1895–96#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1956#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 1994#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1913–14#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[96]

Best figures in a match

A bowler's bowling figures in a match is the sum of the wickets taken and the runs conceded over both innings.

No bowler in the history of Test cricket has taken all 20 wickets in a match. The closest to do so was English spin bowler Jim Laker. During the fourth Test of the 1956 Ashes series, Laker took 9/37 in the first innings and 10/53 in the second to finish with match figures of 19/90.[97] Sydney Barnes's figures of 17/159, taken in the second Test of the 1913–14 South African tour, is the second-best in Test cricket history.[98]

Rank Figures Player OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1956#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1913–14#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1888–89#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr St George's Park Cricket Ground, Port Elizabeth, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1895–96#First Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Headingley, Leeds, England [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1895–96#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[99]

Best career average

George Lohmann pre 1900
George Lohmann holds the record for the best Test career bowling average and strike rate, with figures of 10.75 and 34.1, respectively.[100][101]

A bowler's bowling average is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of wickets they have taken.

Nineteenth century English medium pacer George Lohmann holds the record for the best career average in Test cricket with 10.75. J. J. Ferris, one of fifteen cricketers to have played Test cricket for more than one team,[102] is second behind Lohmann with an overall career average of 12.70 runs per wicket. Billy Barnes is third on the list, finishing his Test career with an average of 15.54.[100]

Rank Average Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 10.75 ♠ Template:Sortname 112 1,205 3,830 1886–1896
2 15.54 Template:Sortname 51 793 2,289 1880–1890
3 16.42 Template:Sortname 50 821 2,364 1881–1887
4 16.43 Template:Sortname 189 3,106 7,873 1901–1914
5 16.98 Template:Sortname 101 1,715 5,216 1884–1896
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 30 July 2018[103]

Best career strike rate

A bowler's strike rate is the total number of balls they have bowled divided by the number of wickets they have taken.[85]

As with the career average above, the top two bowlers with the best Test career strike rate are George Lohmann and J. J. Ferris, with Lohmann on 34.1 and Ferris with an overall career strike rate of 37.7 balls per wicket.[101]

Rank Strike rate Player Wickets Balls Runs Period
1 34.1 ♠ Template:Sortname 112 3,830 1,205 1886–1896
2 41.6 Template:Sortname 189 7,873 3,106 1901–1914
3 44.8 Template:Sortname 51 2,289 793 1880–1890
4 45.1 Template:Sortname 118 5,332 2,095 1884–1899
5 45.4 Template:Sortname 76 3,452 1,411 1954–1959
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 28 February 2023[104]

Best career economy rate

William Attewell in 1895
William Attewell finished his career with an economy rate of 1.31, a Test cricket record.[105]

A bowler's economy rate is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of overs they have bowled.[85]

English bowler William Attewell, who played 10 Tests between 1884 and 1892, holds the Test record for the best career economy rate with 1.31. Cliff Gladwin, with a rate of 1.60 runs per over conceded over his 8-match Test career, is second on the list.[105]

Rank Economy rate Player Runs Balls Wickets Period
1 1.31 ♠ Template:Sortname 626 2,850 28 1884–1892
2 1.60 Template:Sortname 571 2,129 15 1947–1949
3 1.85 Template:Sortname 734 2,368 24 1924–1926
4 1.87 Template:Sortname 767 2,456 34 1881–1887
5 1.88 Template:Sortname 3,510 11,173 144 1931–1939
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 30 July 2018[106]

Most five-wicket hauls in an innings

Ian Botham in July 2013
Ian Botham is second to James Anderson for the England record for the most Test five-wicket hauls.[14]

A five-wicket haul refers to a bowler taking five wickets in a single innings.[107]

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket with 67 throughout his career followed by Shane Warne achieving 37. James Anderson is the highest ranked England player in sixth, with 32.[108]

Rank Five-wicket hauls Player Innings Balls Wickets Period
1 32 Template:Sortname 350 40,037 704 2003–2024
2 27 Template:Sortname 168 21,815 383 1977–1992
3 24 Template:Sortname 50 7,873 189 1901–1914
4 20 Template:Sortname 309 33,698 604 2007–2023
5 17 Template:Sortname 127 15,178 307 1952–1965
Template:Sortname 109 15,349 255 2008–2013
Template:Sortname 151 21,862 297 1966–1982
Last updated: 12 July 2024[14]

Most ten-wicket hauls in a match

A ten-wicket haul refers to a bowler taking ten or more wickets in a match over two innings.

As with the five-wicket hauls above, Muttiah Muralitharan leads Shane Warne in taking the most ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket with Muralitharan having taken 22 to Warne's 10. Sydney Barnes of England is in equal sixth with three other bowlers, each achieving the feat on seven occasions.[109]

Rank Ten-wicket hauls Player Matches Balls Wickets Period
1 7 Template:Sortname 27 7,873 189 1901–1914
2 6 Template:Sortname 86 21,862 297 1966–1982
3 5 Template:Sortname 18 3,830 112 1886–1896
Template:Sortname 51 15,918 236 1946–1955
5 4 Template:Sortname 14 4,498 88 1893–1898
Template:Sortname 19 4,546 100 1901–1910
Template:Sortname 33 5,332 118 1884–1899
Template:Sortname 102 21,815 383 1977–1992
Last updated: 11 August 2019[15]

Worst figures in an innings

The worst figures in a single innings in Test cricket came in the third Test between the West Indies at home to Pakistan in 1958. Pakistan's Khan Mohammad returned figures of 0/259 from his 54 overs in the second innings of the match.[110][111] The worst figures by an England player are 0/169 that came off the bowling of Tich Freeman in his final Test appearance.[112][113]

Rank Figures Player Overs Opposition Venue Date
1 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 49 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 1929#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 34 Template:Cr Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [[English cricket team against Pakistan in the UAE in 2015–16#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 52 Template:Cr Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2015–16#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 57 Template:Cr Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1973–74#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 52 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 2012#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[114]

Worst figures in a match

The worst figures in a match in Test cricket were taken by South Africa's Imran Tahir in the second Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in November 2012. He returned figures of 0/180 from his 23 overs in the first innings and 0/80 off 14 in the third innings for a total of 0/260 from 37 overs.[115] He claimed the record in his final over when two runs came from it – enough for him to pass the previous record of 0/259, set 54 years prior.[116][117][118]

The worst figures by an England player came in the fourth Test of the 1989–90 tour of the West Indies when Devon Malcolm returned figures of 0/142 and 0/46 for a total of 0/188 off 43 overs.[119]

Rank Figures Player Overs Opposition Venue Date
1 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 43 Template:Cr Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1989–90#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 33 Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 1992#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 100 Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1928–29#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 49 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 1929#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 57 Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1934#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[120]

Most wickets in a series

Sydney Barnes in 1910
Sydney Barnes took 49 wickets in the 1913–14 series against South Africa, the most by any cricketer in a Test series.[16]

England's seventh Test tour of South Africa in 1913–14 saw the record set for the most wickets taken by a bowler in a Test series. English paceman Sydney Barnes played in four of the five matches and achieved a total of 49 wickets to his name. Jim Laker sits second on the list with 46 wickets taken during the 1956 Ashes series.[16]

Rank Wickets Player Matches Series
1 49 ♠ Template:Sortname 4 Template:Sort
2 46 Template:Sortname 5 Template:Sort
3 39 Template:Sortname 6 Template:Sort
Template:Sortname 5 Template:Sort
5 38 Template:Sortname 5 Template:Sort
Last updated: 30 July 2018[121]

Wicket-keeping records

The wicket-keeper is a specialist fielder who stands behind the stumps being guarded by the batsman on strike and is the only member of the fielding side allowed to wear gloves and leg pads.[122]

Most career dismissals

A wicket-keeper can be credited with the dismissal of a batsman in two ways, caught or stumped. A fair catch is taken when the ball is caught fully within the field of play without it bouncing after the ball has touched the striker's bat or glove holding the bat,[123][124] while a stumping occurs when the wicket-keeper puts down the wicket while the batsman is out of his ground and not attempting a run.[125]

South Africa's Mark Boucher has taken the most dismissals in Test cricket as a designated wicket-keeper with 555, followed by Adam Gilchrist of Australia on 416. England's Alan Knott, who took 269 dismissals during his 95-Test match career, is eighth on the list. He is followed by his compatriots Matt Prior and Alec Stewart in tenth and eleventh with 256 and 241 dismissals respectively.[126]

Rank Dismissals Player Matches Period
1 269 Template:Sortname 95 1967–1981
2 256 Template:Sortname 79 2007–2014
3 241 Template:Sortname 133 1990–2003
4 223 Jonny Bairstow 100 2012–2024
5 219 Godfrey Evans 91 1946–1959
Last updated: 9 March 2024[17]

Most career catches

Matt Prior in May 2010
Matt Prior sits second behind Alan Knott for the most Test dismissals and catches taken by an England wicket-keeper.[17]

Boucher also leads Gilchrist in the number of catches taken as a designated wicket-keeper in Test cricket, 532 to 379. Alan Knott, with 250 catches to his name is ninth on this list. He is again followed by Prior and Stewart in tenth and eleventh with 243 and 227 catches respectively.[127]

Rank Catches Player Matches Period
1 250 Template:Sortname 95 1967–1981
2 243 Template:Sortname 79 2007–2014
3 227 Template:Sortname 133 1990–2003
4 209 Template:Sortname 100 2012–2024
5 173 Template:Sortname 91 1946–1959
Last updated: 9 March 2024[128]

Most career stumpings

Australia's Bert Oldfield holds the record for the most stumpings in Test cricket with 52. He is followed by Godfrey Evans of England with 46 to his name.[129]

Rank Stumpings Player Matches Period
1 46 Template:Sortname 91 1946–1955
2 23 Template:Sortname 44 1929–1939
3 22 Template:Sortname 35 1896–1909
4 19 Template:Sortname 95 1967–1981
5 15 Template:Sortname 24 1924–1936
Last updated: 7 October 2019[130]

Most dismissals in an innings

Four wicket-keepers have taken seven dismissals in a single innings in a Test match—Wasim Bari of Pakistan in 1979, Englishman Bob Taylor in 1980, New Zealand's Ian Smith in 1991 and most recently West Indian gloveman Ridley Jacobs against Australia in 2000.[131]

The feat of taking 6 dismissals in an innings has been achieved by 25 wicket-keepers on 33 occasions including 7 Englishmen on 11 occasions.[132]

Rank Dismissals Player Opposition Venue Date
1 7 ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Cr Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India [[English cricket team in India in 1979–80#Only Test|Template:Dts]]
2 6 Template:Sortname Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 1967#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[1990–91 Ashes series#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1995–96#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1997#Third Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 1999#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, England [[Bangladeshi cricket team in England in 2005#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[2006–07 Ashes series#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[2006–07 Ashes series#5th Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[2010–11 Ashes series#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 2012#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sortname Template:Cr Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2015–16#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[133]

Most dismissals in a series

Brad Haddin holds the Test cricket record for the most dismissals taken by a wicket-keeper in a series. He took 29 catches during the 2013 Ashes series which broke the previous record held by fellow Australian Rod Marsh when he took 28 catches in the 1982–83 Ashes series. Jack Russell of England is equal third with 27 dismissals taken during the 1995–96 tour of South Africa.[134]

Rank Dismissals Player Matches Innings Series
1 27 Template:Sortname 5 7 English cricket team in South Africa in 1995–96
2 24 Template:Sortname 6 12 1970–71 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 5 10 2023 Ashes series
4 23 Template:Sortname 5 8 South African cricket team in England in 1998
Template:Sortname 5 10 2010–11 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 6 10 1997 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 6 12 1974–75 Ashes series
Last updated: 2 September 2024[135]

Fielding records

Most career catches

Caught is one of the nine methods a batsman can be dismissed in cricket.Template:Efn A fair catch is defined as a fielder catching the ball, from a legal delivery, fully within the field of play without it bouncing when the ball has touched the striker's bat or glove holding the bat.[123][124] The majority of catches are caught in the slips, located behind the batsman, next to the wicket-keeper, on the off side of the field. Most slip fielders are top order batsmen.[136][137]

India's Rahul Dravid and Joe Root jointly hold the record for the most catches in Test cricket by a non-wicket-keeper with 210.[8]

Rank Catches Player Matches Period
1 210 ♠ Joe Root Template:Dagger 154 2012–2025
2 175 Alastair Cook 161 2006–2018
3 121 Template:Sortname 100 2004–2012
4 120 Template:Sortname 102 1977–1992
Template:Sortname 114 1954–1975
Last updated: 24 June 2025[9]

Most catches in a series

The 1920–21 Ashes series, in which Australia whitewashed England 5–0 for the first time,[138] saw the record set for the most catches taken by a non-wicket-keeper in a Test series. Australian all-rounder Jack Gregory took 15 catches in the series as well as 23 wickets.[139] Greg Chappell and KL Rahul are joint second behind Gregory with 14 catches taken during the 1974–75 Ashes series and the 2018 India tour of England respectively. The same series saw Alastair Cook become the highest placed England player in equal fourth with 13 catches taken alongside Bob Simpson, Brian Lara and Rahul Dravid.[140]

Rank Catches Player Matches Innings Series
1 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 5 10 Indian cricket team in England in 2018
2 12 Template:Sortname 5 10 1901–02 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 5 9 1934 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 3 6 South African cricket team in England in 1951
Template:Sortname 6 12 1974–75 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 6 12 1981 Ashes series
Template:Sortname 4 8 English cricket team in South Africa in 2019–20
Last updated: 2 September 2024[141]

Other records

Most career matches

India's Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test matches played with 200, with James Anderson in second Template:As of with 188 caps. Former captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh are joint third with each having represented Australia on 168 occasions. Anderson is one of 15 cricketers to have played 100 Tests for England.[142][143]

Rank Matches Player Period
1 188 Template:Sortname 2003–2024
2 167 Template:Sortname 2007–2023
3 161 Template:Sortname 2006–2018
4 154 Joe RootTemplate:Dagger 2012–2025
5 133 Alec Stewart 1990–2003
Last updated: 24 June 2025[13]

Most consecutive career matches

Alastair Cook in 2016
Alastair Cook, pictured in 2016, holds the record for the consecutive career matches in Test cricket with 159.[144]

Former English captain Alastair Cook holds the record for the most consecutive Test matches played with 159.[144] Cook equalled the previous record of 153, set by Australia's Allan Border, during the first Test of the two-match series against Pakistan in May 2018[145] and broke it by playing in the second Test of the same series.[146] Former English captain Joe Root brought his run of 77 consecutive Tests to an end when he missed the first Test against the West Indies in July 2020, due to the birth of his second child.[147][148]

Rank Matches Player Period
1 Template:Sort Template:Sortname 2006–2018
2 77 Template:Sortname 2014–2020
3 65 Template:Sortname 1971–1977
Template:Sortname 1978–1984
5 63 Template:Sortname 1993–1998
Last updated: 29 December 2020[144]

Most matches as captain

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Graeme Smith, who led the South African cricket team from 2003 to 2014, holds the record for the most matches played as captain in Test cricket with 109. Allan Border, who captained Australia from 1984 to 1994 is second with 93 matches. Joe Root, is seventh on the list with 64 matches Template:As of.[149]

Rank Matches Player Period
1 64 Template:Sortname 2017–2022
2 59 Template:Sortname 2010–2016
3 54 Template:Sortname 1993–2001
4 51 Template:Sortname 2003–2008
5 50 Template:Sortname 2006–2012
Last updated: 6 June 2022[10]

Youngest players

The youngest player to play in a Test match is claimed to be Hasan Raza at the age of 14 years and 227 days. Making his debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe on 24 October 1996, there is some doubt as to the validity of Raza's age at the time.[150][151] The youngest cricketer to play Test cricket for England was Rehan Ahmed who was 18 years and 126 days old when he debuted in the third Test of the series against Pakistan in December 2022.[152][153]

Rank Age Player OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan [[English cricket team in Pakistan in 2022–23#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Trafford, Manchester, England [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 1949#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1905–06#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 1937#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1997#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 9 January 2023[153]
James Southerton
James Southerton is the fifth oldest cricketer to play in a Test match and was the oldest to make his debut.[18][19]

Oldest players on debut

At 49 years and 119 days, James Southerton of England, playing in the very first Test match in March 1877, is the oldest player to make his debut in Test cricket. Second on the list is Miran Bakhsh of Pakistan who at 47 years and 284 days made his debut against India in 1955.[18]

Rank Age Player OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia and New Zealand in 1876–77#First Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1920–21#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia in 1911–12#First Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1930–31#4th Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[18]

Oldest players

Wilfred Rhodes bowling c. 1902
Wilfred Rhodes, pictured here aged 25, is the oldest cricketer to ever in play in a Test match at the age of 52.[19]

England all-rounder Wilfred Rhodes is the oldest player to appear in a Test match. Playing in the fourth Test against the West Indies in 1930 at Sabina Park, in Kingston, Jamaica, he was aged 52 years and 165 days on the final day's play. The second-oldest Test player is Bert Ironmonger who was aged 50 years and 327 days when he represented Australia for the final time in the fifth Test of the 1932–33 Ashes series at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[19]

Rank Age Player OppositionTemplate:Efn Venue Date
1 Template:Sort ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Cr Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1929–30#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
2 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1899#First Test|Template:Dts]]
3 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1929–30#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
4 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia [[English cricket team in Australia and New Zealand in 1876–77#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
5 Template:Sort Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1930#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 30 July 2018[19]

Partnership records

In cricket, two batsmen are always present at the crease batting together in a partnership. This partnership will continue until one of them is dismissed, retires or the innings comes to a close.

Highest partnerships by wicket

A wicket partnership describes the number of runs scored before each wicket falls. The first wicket partnership is between the opening batsmen and continues until the first wicket falls. The second wicket partnership then commences between the not out batsman and the number three batsman. This partnership continues until the second wicket falls. The third wicket partnership then commences between the not out batsman and the new batsman. This continues down to the tenth wicket partnership. When the tenth wicket has fallen, there is no batsman left to partner so the innings is closed.

English batsmen hold four Test wicket partnerships records, all set since 2010. Joe Root and Harry Brook scored 454 for the fourth wicket against Pakistan at Multan in 2024.[154] Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow came together in the second Test of the 2015–16 series against South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground and put together a sixth wicket partnership of 399 runs.[155][156] The pair of Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad set the highest eighth wicket partnership of 332 runs at Lord's in August 2010 against Pakistan.[157] Finally, the tenth wicket partnership of 198 was made by Joe Root and James Anderson in the first Test against India at Trent Bridge in July 2014.[158][159]

Wicket Runs First batsman Second batsman Opposition Venue Date
Template:Sort 359 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 1948–49#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 382 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 370 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 1947#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 454 ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan [[English cricket team in Pakistan in 2024-25#First Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 359 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Rose Bowl, Southampton, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2020#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 399 ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2015–16#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 241 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Headingley, Yorkshire, England [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 2022#3rd Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 332 ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2010#Fourth Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 163* Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1962–63#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Template:Sort 198 ♠ Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England [[Indian cricket team in England in 2014#1st Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 10 October 2024[160]

Highest partnerships by runs

The highest Test partnership by runs for any wicket is held by the Sri Lankan pairing of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who put together a third wicket partnership of 624 runs during the first Test against South Africa in July 2006. This broke the record of 576 runs set by their compatriots Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama against India in 1997. New Zealand's Andrew Jones and Martin Crowe hold the third-highest Test partnership with 467 made in 1991 against Sri Lanka. The English pairing of Joe Root and Harry Brook together scored 454 for the fourth wicket against Pakistan in 2024 to place themselves fourth on the list.[161]

Wicket Runs First batsman Second batsman Opposition Venue Date
4th wicket 454 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan [[English cricket team in Pakistan in 2024-25#First Test|Template:Dts]]
4th wicket 411 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Edgbaston, Birmingham, England [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1957#First Test|Template:Dts]]
6th wicket 399 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa [[English cricket team in South Africa in 2015–16#2nd Test|Template:Dts]]
2nd wicket 382 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr The Oval, London, England [[Australian cricket team in England in 1938#Fifth Test|Template:Dts]]
3rd wicket 370 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Template:Cr Lord's, London, England [[South African cricket team in England in 1947#Second Test|Template:Dts]]
Last updated: 10 October 2024[162]

Umpiring records

Dickie Bird at Headingley in 2006
Dickie Bird stood as an umpire in 66 matches, a former Test record, and is now the fifth most experienced English umpire behind David Shepherd, Richard Kettleborough, Ian Gould and Richard Illingworth.[163][164]

Most matches umpired

An umpire in cricket is a person who officiates the match according to the Laws of Cricket. Two umpires adjudicate the match on the field, whilst a third umpire has access to video replays, and a fourth umpire looks after the match balls and other duties. The records below are only for on-field umpires.

Aleem Dar of Pakistan holds the record for the most Test matches umpired with 145. Dar set the record in December 2019 overtaking West Indian Steve Bucknor's mark of 128 matches.[165] They are followed by South Africa's Rudi Koertzen who officiated in 108. The most experienced Englishman is David Shepherd who is sixth on the list with 92 Test matches umpired.[166]

Rank Matches Umpire Period
1 92 Template:Sortname 1985–2005
2 91 Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 2008–2025
3 77 Template:SortnameTemplate:Dagger 2010–2025
4 74 Template:Sortname 2006–2019
5 66 Template:Sortname 1973–1996
Last updated: 25 June 2025[167]

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Cricket in England Template:Cricket records Template:Main other

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  71. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  72. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  73. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  74. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  75. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  76. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  77. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  78. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  79. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  80. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  81. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  82. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  83. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  84. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  85. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  86. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  87. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  88. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  89. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  90. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  91. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  92. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  93. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  94. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  95. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  96. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  97. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  98. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  99. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  100. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  101. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  102. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  103. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  104. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  105. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  106. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  107. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  108. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  109. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  110. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  111. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  112. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  113. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  114. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  115. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  116. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  117. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  118. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  119. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  120. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  121. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  122. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  123. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  124. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Laws 5.6.2.2 and 5.6.2.3 state that the hand or the glove holding the bat shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat.
  125. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  126. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  127. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  128. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  129. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  130. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  131. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  132. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  133. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  134. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  135. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  136. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  137. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  138. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  139. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  140. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  141. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  142. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  143. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  144. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  145. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  146. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  147. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  148. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  149. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  150. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  151. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  152. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  153. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  154. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  155. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  156. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  157. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  158. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  159. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  160. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  161. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  162. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  163. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  164. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  165. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  166. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  167. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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