Test cricket is the most challenging format and has made many legends. It is the most extended format, played for five days. Batters who perform well in test cricket can perform in any other format well. However, it is not easy to be consistent for a whole calendar year. In this article, we will see players who scored the most test runs in a single calendar year.
1. Mohammad Yousuf
Mohammad Yousuf is undoubtedly the best batter from Pakistan. He tops the list of the most runs in test cricket in a calendar year. He is the backbone of the Pakistani team and rescued them many times. In 2006 he played at his best and scored 1788 runs from 11 matches. He played with an average of 99.
2. Vivian Richards
At number two, we have West Indian legend Vivian Richards. Vivian Richards played a major role in the domination of the West Indies in the seventies and eighties. In 1976, his batting skill and talent were on full display, and he played some beautiful innings. He scored 1710 runs in test cricket that year in ten matches at an average of 90.
3. Joe Root
In the limited-overs dominating era, a player holds the record in test cricket. Who else can it be? It is England captain Joe Root. He dominated test cricket in 2021 and scored 1708 runs in 15 matches with an average of 61. He scored six centuries and four half-centuries that year.
4. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith is the finest captain from South Africa. He was an extraordinary batter and had exceptional skill. He took South Africa to another level through batting and captaincy. In 2008 he scored a mammoth 1656 runs in 15 matches. He entered this list with an average of 72.
5. Michael Clarke
At number five, we have Michael Clarke. He was a captain and a phenomenal batter. His career test average is 49. Clarke made 2012 his year by scoring 1595 runs with an average of 106. He was unbeatable that year and his success in test cricket are underrated.
6. Sachin Tendulkar
The God of cricket made himself to the sixth position on the list. He scored 1562 runs in 2010. He played 14 test matches that year. He scored his double-century in ODI in the same year. He holds most of the records and is thus hailed as the Master Blaster. He played with an average of 78 in test cricket that year.
7. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar is a former Indian legend. He was known for his ability to convert big scores. In 1979, Gavaskar scored 1555 runs in Test cricket from 18 matches with an average of 59. His highest score that year was 221. He scored five centuries that year in test cricket.
8. Ricky Ponting
The Australian legend managed to achieve this feat in 2005. In 2005, he scored 1544 runs at an average of 67 with six centuries and six half-centuries. He played 15 test games that year. Even he agreed that his innings of 156 versus England is the innings he is proud of.
9. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was featured again on the list and was the only player to do so. He is the only player to score over 1500 test runs in a calendar year two times. In 2003 he scored 1503 test runs in 11 matches at an average of 100. It shows his domination in world cricket in the 2000s.
10. Kumar Sangakkara
At the last position on the list, we have Kumar Sangakkara. In 2014, he played 12 test matches and scored 1493 runs at an average of 71. He even scored a triple-century that year against Bangladesh. He scored four centuries and nine half-centuries.
