Test cricket is known for its strategic and tactical elements as well as the high level of skill and endurance required from the players. It is a highly respected and prestigious form of cricket, and players who perform well in Test cricket are often considered among the best in the world. In test cricket, many legendary players set records including Don Bradman’s highest batting average in test cricket. Other players who have scored a significant number of runs in a calendar year in Test cricket like Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara, Mark Taylor, Steve Smith, and Kumar Sangakkara. In this article, we talk about the top 5 batsmen who scored the most test runs in a calendar year.
1. Mohammad Yousuf | 1788 runs
The record for most Test runs in a calendar year belongs to Mohammed Yousuf. Mohammad Yousuf is a former Pakistani cricketer who played for the Pakistani team in all three formats. In 2006, Yousuf scored 1,788 runs in 11 matches, at an average of 99.33 which is the most by any Test player in a calendar year. Yusuf scored nine Test centuries in 2006, a world record for most centuries in a calendar year.
He was named in the ICC Test Team of the Year and was named in the World Test XI by Cricinfo for his performances in 2006. He is widely one of the greatest batsmen in the history of Test cricket.
2. Viv Richards | 1710 runs
2nd on the list is Sir Viv Richards who scored the most Test runs in a calendar year. Sir Vivian Richards is a former West Indian cricketer who is widely one of the greatest batsmen of all time. In 1976, Richards scored 1,710 runs in 11 Test matches, at an average of 90. He scored 7 centuries and 5 half-centuries during the year, including a career-best 291 against England at The Oval.
Richards’ run-scoring feat in 1976 is widely one of the greatest achievements in the history of Test cricket. Wisden selected the best Test team in the 150-year history of Tests and placed Viv at No. 3. The only batsman from the post-war era to join Sachin Tendulkar in this team.
Also Read: Most Test runs for Pakistan in Test Cricket History
3. Joe Root | 1708 runs
Joe Root is among the favorite “Fab Four” in Test formats. Root is an English cricketer and the former captain of the England Test team. He became the first England batsman to score more than 1500 runs in a calendar year. This is not the first time that Joe Root has scored more than 1300 runs for England. In 2016 Root scored 1477 runs and in 2015 he scored 1385 runs and was one of the most consistent players for England in Test matches.
The year 2021 has been fantastic for the Root. He ended the year as the highest run-scorer and became the third-highest Test run-scorer in a calendar year and was just 3 runs short of breaking Sir Viv Richard’s record. In 2021, Root scored 1,708 runs in 15 test matches, at an average of 61 with the highest score of 228 against Srilanka at Galle including 6 centuries and 4 half-centuries.
4. Graeme Smith | 1656 runs
Smith holds the record for the 4th most Test runs in a calendar year. Graeme Smith is a South African cricketer. Smith is one of the greatest openers of all time and is the only player to captain a side in 100 test matches. The year 2008 has been life-changing for Graeme Smith. In 2008, Smith scored 1,656 runs in 15 test matches, at an average of 72 with the highest score of 232 including 6 centuries and 4 half-centuries. Smith was awarded the ICC Test Team of the Year in 2005 in recognition of his outstanding performance.
Also Read: Most Test Runs for England in Test Cricket History
5. Michael Clarke | 1595 runs
Michael Clarke is one of the best batsmen of his generation. In 2012, Michael Clarke had a particularly successful year in Test cricket, scoring 1,595 runs in 11 matches at an average of 106.33 including 5 centuries and 3 half centuries. This is the most runs scoring by any Australian player in a calendar year in Test cricket. Clarke’s impressive performance in 2012 was 329 not out against India in Sydney. Which was his highest score in Test cricket and helped Australia win the match.
List of Most Runs in Test in a Calendar Year:
| Player | Year | Mat | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | 100 | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M Yousuf (PAK) | 2006 | 11 | 19 | 1788 | 202 | 99.33 | 9 | 3 |
| Viv Richards (WI) | 1976 | 11 | 19 | 1710 | 291 | 90.00 | 7 | 5 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 2021 | 15 | 29 | 1708 | 228 | 61.00 | 6 | 4 |
| Graeme Smith (SA) | 2008 | 15 | 25 | 1656 | 232 | 72.00 | 6 | 6 |
| Michael Clarke (AUS) | 2012 | 11 | 18 | 1595 | 329* | 106.33 | 5 | 3 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 2010 | 14 | 23 | 1562 | 214 | 78.10 | 7 | 5 |
| Sunil Gavaskar (IND) | 1979 | 18 | 27 | 1555 | 221 | 59.80 | 5 | 8 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 2005 | 15 | 28 | 1544 | 207 | 67.13 | 6 | 6 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 2003 | 11 | 18 | 1503 | 257 | 100.20 | 6 | 4 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 2014 | 12 | 22 | 1493 | 319 | 71.09 | 4 | 9 |
| Michael Vaughan (ENG) | 2002 | 14 | 26 | 1481 | 197 | 61.70 | 6 | 2 |
| Justin Langer (AUS) | 2004 | 14 | 27 | 1481 | 215 | 54.85 | 5 | 4 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 2016 | 17 | 32 | 1477 | 254 | 49.23 | 3 | 10 |
| Steve Smith (AUS) | 2015 | 13 | 24 | 1474 | 215 | 73.70 | 6 | 5 |
| Jonny Bairstow (ENG) | 2016 | 17 | 29 | 1470 | 167* | 58.80 | 3 | 8 |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) | 2008 | 14 | 27 | 1462 | 319 | 56.23 | 3 | 6 |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) | 2010 | 14 | 25 | 1422 | 173 | 61.82 | 5 | 8 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 2002 | 16 | 26 | 1392 | 193 | 55.68 | 4 | 5 |
| Mathew Hayden (AUS) | 2001 | 14 | 25 | 1391 | 203 | 63.22 | 5 | 5 |
| GR Viswanath (IND) | 1979 | 18 | 26 | 1388 | 179 | 57.83 | 5 | 6 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 2015 | 14 | 26 | 1385 | 182* | 60.21 | 3 | 10 |
| RB Simpson (AUS) | 1964 | 14 | 26 | 1381 | 311 | 60.04 | 3 | 7 |
| Mathew Hayden (AUS) | 2005 | 15 | 29 | 1380 | 138 | 53.07 | 5 | 4 |
| DL Amiss (ENG) | 1974 | 13 | 22 | 1379 | 262* | 68.95 | 5 | 3 |
| Alastair Cook (ENG) | 2015 | 14 | 26 | 1364 | 263 | 54.56 | 3 | 8 |
| Rahul Dravid (IND) | 2002 | 16 | 26 | 1357 | 217 | 59.00 | 5 | 5 |
Most Test Runs in 2022:
| Player | Mat | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | 100 | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 9 | 17 | 1184 | 196 | 69.64 | 4 | 7 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | 15 | 27 | 1098 | 176 | 45.75 | 5 | 2 |
| Usman Khawaja (AUS) | 11 | 20 | 1080 | 160 | 67.50 | 4 | 5 |
| Jonny Bairstow (ENG) | 10 | 19 | 1061 | 162 | 66.31 | 6 | 1 |
| Marnus Labuschagne (AUS) | 11 | 19 | 957 | 204 | 56.29 | 4 | 1 |
| Steve Smith (AUS) | 11 | 18 | 876 | 200* | 58.40 | 2 | 5 |
| Ben Stokes (ENG) | 15 | 26 | 870 | 120 | 36.25 | 2 | 4 |
| Zak Crawley (ENG) | 15 | 29 | 844 | 122 | 30.14 | 2 | 3 |
| Imam ul Haq (PAK) | 8 | 16 | 837 | 157 | 55.80 | 3 | 3 |
| Abdullah Shafique (PAK) | 9 | 18 | 823 | 160* | 51.43 | 3 | 2 |
All Information on the stat is from Cricinfo.
Questions
Who scored the highest test runs in a calendar year?
Mohammad Yousuf (1788) is the highest number of test runs in a calendar year.
Which batsman scores the most test runs in 2022?
Babar Azam scored 1154 runs which is the most test runs in 2022.
Which batsman score the most test runs in 2021?
Joe Root (1708)
Which batsman score the most test runs in 2020?
Kane Williamson (498)