The top 5 Test cricketers with the most centuries are legendary batsmen known for their consistency and skill. They have each scored over 40 centuries, setting records that showcase their dominance in the longest format of the game. Their ability to perform across different conditions and against various opponents has made them icons of Test cricket history.
Test Cricketer: Joe Root (ENG) – 37 centuries
Joe Root, the former England captain, has been one of the most consistent batsmen in Test cricket since 2021. His remarkable form over the past four years has seen him rapidly climb the ranks of all-time run-scorers. Root has scored at least five centuries in three of the last four years alone.
With 37 centuries and 66 half-centuries, Root has amassed over 13,000 runs, making him England’s highest Test run-scorer, surpassing the legendary Alastair Cook. He also holds the records for the most centuries and half-centuries by an English batsman in Tests.
Test Cricketer: Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 38 centuries
Kumar Sangakkara is widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s greatest all-format batsman. Known for his elegant left-handed strokeplay, Sangakkara was often unstoppable in Tests, boasting a stunning career average of 57.40.
Test Cricketer: Between 2000 and 2015, he featured in 134 Tests, accumulating 12,400 runs with a highest score of 319. His tally includes 38 centuries—among them 11 double centuries, the second-highest in Test history—and 52 half-centuries.
Test Cricketer: Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 41 centuries
Ricky Ponting was a brilliant blend of aggression and consistency, playing a pivotal role in Australia’s cricket dominance throughout the late 1990s and 2000s.
Over a career spanning 168 Tests from 1995 to 2012, Ponting scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85, with a top score of 257. The former Australian captain recorded 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries, making him one of the game’s finest run-scorers.
Jacques Kallis (SA) – 45 centuries
Jacques Kallis was an extraordinary all-rounder, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. His batting average surpasses that of Sachin Tendulkar, while his bowling average is better than many specialist bowlers like Zaheer Khan—highlighting his unique legacy.
Kallis played 166 Tests, scoring 13,289 runs at an impressive average of 55.37. He amassed 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries, consistently delivering match-winning performances.
Test Cricketer: Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 51 centuries
Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batsman in cricket history, holding numerous records in the game’s longest format. Between 1989 and 2013, Tendulkar featured in 200 Tests, scoring a staggering 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78.
Known as the “Master Blaster,” he holds the records for the most Test matches played, most runs scored, most centuries (51), and most half-centuries (68). Tendulkar’s dominance and longevity make him an unmatched cricketing legend.
