Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in Test Cricket History

Test cricket is a game of big numbers. From towering team totals to jaw-dropping individual scores, the longest format has witnessed some truly legendary batting performances that almost defy belief.

Over the years, there have been 33 instances where a batter has gone past the 300-run mark in a single Test innings. Out of those, only seven players have managed to score more than 350, and just one cricketer has ever gone on to reach a quadruple century — a rare feat that still stands unmatched.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the highest individual scores in Test cricket history, and celebrate some of the most remarkable knocks ever played.

Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in Test Cricket History

10. Wally Hammond – 336* vs New Zealand, Auckland, 1933

England’s Wally Hammond became only the third batter in Test cricket history—after Andy Sandham and Sir Donald Bradman—to score a triple century. He achieved this remarkable feat in a drawn match against New Zealand in Auckland in 1933. In a breathtaking counter-attacking innings, Hammond smashed 336 runs, peppering the boundary with 34 fours and clearing it 10 times with sixes. His innings lasted just 318 minutes, a display of power and dominance that etched his name into the cricketing record books.

9. Hanif Mohammad – 337 vs West Indies, Bridgetown, 1958

Pakistan’s legendary batter Hanif Mohammad was the first player from his country to score a triple century in Test cricket, and only the sixth in the world to achieve the feat at the time. His monumental innings is regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the game. Facing a massive West Indies total of 579/9 declared, Pakistan collapsed to just 106 in their first innings, trailing by 473 runs and forced to follow on. It was then that Hanif produced a masterclass in resilience and technique, batting for an astonishing 970 minutes (over 16 hours) to score 337 runs. Thanks to his heroic effort, Pakistan posted 657/8 in the second innings and miraculously saved the Test match.

8. Sanath Jayasuriya – 340 vs India, Colombo, 1997

The highest team total in Test cricket history was recorded by Sri Lanka when they piled up a massive 952 for 6 declared against India in Colombo in 1997. The match ended in a high-scoring draw, but it was memorable for an extraordinary innings by Sanath Jayasuriya. He scored a brilliant 340 runs off 578 balls, hitting 36 fours and 2 sixes, becoming the first Sri Lankan to score a triple century in Test cricket. He was well supported by Roshan Mahanama, who played a gritty knock of 225. Their incredible partnership laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's historic total.

7. Leonard Hutton – 364 vs Australia, Oval, 1938

The highest individual score in Ashes history belongs to England’s Leonard Hutton. In the 1938 Test at The Oval, he produced a monumental innings of 364 runs off 847 deliveries, including 35 fours. His effort helped England post a then-record total of 903 for 7 declared. In response, Australia were bowled out for 201 and 123 in their two innings. England won the match by an innings and 579 runs — the largest victory margin by an innings in Test cricket history.

6. Gary Sobers – 365* vs Pakistan, Kingston, 1958

Gary Sobers was one of the finest batting talents ever produced by the West Indies during their era of dominance in world cricket. His highest Test score came against Pakistan in Kingston, where he produced a masterful unbeaten 365. His innings, laced with 38 boundaries, was part of a monumental 446-run partnership for the second wicket with Conrad Hunte, who contributed 260. The West Indies declared at a mammoth 790 for 3, then bowled out Pakistan for 328 and 288 to win the match convincingly by an innings and 174 runs.

5. Wiaan Mulder – 367* vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2025

South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder made history in spectacular fashion on his Test captaincy debut during South Africa's 2025 tour of Zimbabwe. Leading the side for the first time, Mulder delivered a record-breaking performance with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 367 — the highest individual score in Test history for South Africa, surpassing Hashim Amla's 311.

His innings came off just 297 balls, making it the second-fastest triple century in Test cricket. Remarkably, Mulder also became the first player ever to score a triple century on debut as Test captain, etching his name into the record books with a once-in-a-generation performance.

4. Mahela Jayawardene (374) vs South Africa, Colombo, 2006

The highest individual score in Test cricket for Sri Lanka is held by former captain Mahela Jayawardene, who scored an impressive 374 runs. Alongside Kumar Sangakkara, who contributed 287 runs, the duo set the record for the highest partnership in Test history—adding 624 runs for the third wicket. Jayawardene’s marathon innings came off 572 balls and included 43 fours and one six. Sri Lanka declared their first innings at a massive 756 for 5. In response, South Africa were bowled out for 169 in the first innings and 434 in the second, giving Sri Lanka a commanding victory by an innings and 153 runs.

3. Brian Lara – 375 vs England, St. John’s 1994

In 1994, Brian Lara made history with a huge triple century against England at St. John’s in the final Test of the series. Coming in at 12 for 2, he scored 375 runs off 538 balls, including 45 fours. The West Indies declared at 593 for 5, and England matched that total exactly. The match ended in a draw with West Indies at 43 for no loss in the second innings. This innings was Lara’s first big attempt to reach 400 runs.

2. Matthew Hayden – 380 vs Zimbabwe, Perth, 2003

In 2003, Matthew Hayden shattered Lara’s record with a monumental innings in Perth against Zimbabwe. Hayden scored a staggering 380 runs off just 437 balls, smashing 11 sixes and 38 fours. His incredible effort propelled Australia to a commanding first-innings total of 735 for 6 before declaring. Zimbabwe struggled to respond, managing only 239 and 321 in their two innings, ultimately succumbing to an innings and 175-run defeat.

1. Brian Lara – 400* vs England, St. John’s 2004

Brian Lara was the first cricketer to score 400 runs in a Test innings, making history on a global scale. After Ricky Ponting's record was briefly broken by Matthew Hayden in October 2003, Lara reclaimed the record just six months later. In April 2004, at St. John’s against England, Lara achieved an unbeaten 400 runs off 582 balls, smashing 43 fours and four sixes. This incredible feat not only etched his name in cricketing history but also ended the match in a thrilling draw.

Cover Credits - ESPNcricinfo