Global InformationList of Test cricket records information
Test cricket is played between international cricket teams who are Full Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[1] Unlike One Day Internationals, Test matches consist of two innings per team, with no limit in the number of overs.[2] Test cricket is first-class cricket, so statistics and records set in Test matches are also counted toward first-class records. The duration of Tests, currently limited to five days, has varied through Test history, ranging from three days to timeless matches.[3][4] The earliest match now recognised as a Test was played between England and Australia in March 1877;[5] since then there have been over 2,000 Tests played by 13 teams. The frequency of Tests has steadily increased partly because of the increase in the number of Test-playing countries, and partly as cricket boards seek to maximise their revenue.[6]
Cricket is, by its nature, capable of generating large numbers of records and statistics.[7] This list details the most significant team and individual records in Test cricket.
As of February 2023[update], the most successful team in Test cricket, in terms of both wins and win percentage, is Australia, having won 404 of their 851 Tests (47.47%). Excluding teams who have only played a small number of Tests, the least successful team are Bangladesh.
Australian Donald Bradman, widely considered the greatest batsman of all time,[8][9] holds several personal and partnership records. He scored the most runs in a series, has the most double centuries and was a part of the record 5th wicket partnership. His most significant record is his batting average of 99.94. One of cricket's most famous statistics,[10][11] it still stands almost 40 runs higher than any other batsman's career average. Don Bradman is the only player in the world to have scored 5000 runs against a single opposition: 5028 runs against England.[12]
In the Manchester Test of 1956, England spin bowler Jim Laker took 19 wickets for 90 runs (19–90) which set not only the Test record for best match figures but also the first-class one.[13] In taking 10–53 in the second innings he became the first bowler to capture ten wickets in a Test match innings, and his analysis remains the best innings figures. Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble was the second bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings, claiming 10–74 against Pakistan in 1999.[14] In December 2021, New Zealand spinner, Ajaz Patel became the third bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings.[15] West Indies batsman Brian Lara has the highest individual score in Test cricket: he scored 400 not out against England in 2004 to surpass the innings of 380 by Matthew Hayden six months earlier. Lara had held the record before Hayden, with a score of 375 against England 10 years earlier.[16] Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq holds the record of the fastest Test half century, scoring 50 runs from 21 balls. The record for the fastest Test century is held by New Zealand's Brendon McCullum, who scored 100 runs from 54 balls in his final Test match.
The trend of countries playing more Test matches in the modern era means that the aggregate lists are dominated by modern players. Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan became the highest Test wicket-taker in December 2007, when he passed Shane Warne's total of 708 wickets.[17] Within a year, the equivalent batting record of highest run-scorer had also changed hands: Sachin Tendulkar surpassed the tally of 11,953 runs by Brian Lara.[18] The record for most dismissals by a wicket-keeper is held by Mark Boucher of South Africa[19] while the record for most catches by a fielder is held by Rahul Dravid.[20]
- ^ "Classification of Official Cricket" (PDF). International Cricket Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "The difference between Test and one-day cricket". BBC Sport. 6 September 2005. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Martin-Jenkins, Christopher (3 June 2005). "Flintoff given go-ahead to make it even more difficult for opponents". The Times. Retrieved 12 August 2009.(subscription required)
- ^ Williamson, Martin (14 March 2009). "Calling time on eternity". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Williamson, Martin. "The birth of Test cricket". Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Martin-Jenkins, Christopher (2003). "Crying out for less". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack – online archive. John Wisden & Co. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Records – Test matches". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Beard, Matthew (26 February 2001). "Donald Bradman, world's greatest batsman, dies at 92". The Independent. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Player Profile: Sir Donald Bradman". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Davis, Charles (4 August 2007). "Could this be the Don's missing four runs?". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ Leggat, David (23 August 2008). "The tainted stat that divides a nation". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "All Records of Sir Don Bradman". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Records – First-class matches – Bowling records – Best figures in a match". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Pakistan tour of India, 1998/99". Cricinfo. ESPN. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ^ "Ajaz Patel: New Zealand spinner becomes third bowler in Test history to take 10 wickets in an innings". BBC Sport. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ Fraser, Angus (13 April 2008). "Lara smashes magical 400 to rewrite history". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Muralitharan breaks Test record". BBC Sport. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "India v Australia 2nd Test". BBC Sport. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Eye injury ends Boucher's career". Cricinfo. ESPN. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ^ "Rahul Dravid announces retirement from international cricket". The Times of India. Times Group. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.