Most runs in County Championship, division one, 2024 – Durham and Essex’s South African stars shine

Archie Starkey 24 Feb 2025

David Bedingham was in prolific form during the 2024 County Championship.

Runs were seemingly easier to come by in the 2024 competition with the extended use of the Kookaburra ball helping close the gap between bat and ball.

But which batters dominated the competition with their run-scoring exploits?

Durham’s David Bedingham was unstoppable at the crease, while several players showcased their class with individual brilliance and consistent performances.

So who were the top nine run scorers last season in English domestic red-ball cricket?

9. Liam Dawson – 956 runs in 2024 County Championship

Dawson’s all-round abilities were vital for Hampshire, and his batting contributions, alongside his bowling, often made the difference. His huge average of 59.75 reflects his consistency and composure in the middle order.

With five half-centuries and three centuries, Dawson was a key presence as he was in the top 9 players with the most runs and wickets, making him a true asset. His highest score of 120 was one of many crucial innings in Hampshire’s campaign.

8. James Vince – 986 runs in 2024 County Championship

Vince’s elegance at the crease was fully displayed in 2024, anchoring Hampshire’s batting lineup. Scoring two centuries and five fifties, he maintained an average of just shy of 50.

Despite his form, last year’s Hampshire skipper has opted to miss this summer’s County Championship to prioritise his white-ball cricket following a relocation to Dubai.

Also read: Most wickets in County Championship, division one, 2024

7. Keaton Jennings – 1,006 runs in 2024 County Championship

Lancashire’s Jennings was a consistent force at the top of the order, amassing 1006 runs at an average of 45.72.

Famous for his patience and ability to grind out long innings, his unbeaten 187* was one of the standout performances of the season.

Alongside several ex-Test cricketers for England in this list, Jennings will be hoping to maintain his form and push for a recall to the international stage.

6. Will Rhodes – 1,020 runs in 2024 County Championship

Rhodes was Warwickshire’s rock in the middle order, playing numerous crucial knocks at Edgbaston. He smacked three centuries and three half-centuries over the course of last year’s campaign.

His double century of 201 was one of the highlights of the season and his career to date as he will look to build on his heroics.

5. Rory Burns – 1,073 runs in 2024 County Championship

Surrey’s captain Rory Burns led from the front with 1073 runs at an average of 53.65. His leadership and consistency were instrumental in Surrey’s title-winning season with the runs seeming to never slow down.

Proving his dependability as ever with five fifties and three hundreds, he showcased the fact that he is still an elite red-ball opener in England.

4. Haseeb Hameed – 1,091 runs in 2024 County Championship

Nottinghamshire’s opener, Hameed, had a phenomenal season and is yet another who has fantastic red-ball experience on the biggest stage.

Hameed had Trent Bridge watching on with delight as he found the form of yesteryear and had a season to remember, averaging north of 50 runs.

3. Alex Davies – 1,115 runs in 2024 County Championship

Davies was a driving force for Warwickshire, playing some of the most entertaining innings of the season where he demonstrated his ability to take the game to the bowlers and use his expansive shot range.

He scored ten maximums in the season and played with intent while claiming his career-best first-class score of 256 for his county.

2. Dean Elgar – 1,144 runs in 2024 County Championship

Essex’s South Africa stalwart was a pillar of strength at the crease, finishing the season with an average of 57.20 and showing no signs of slowing down his remarkable career.

Elgar has nearly 18,000 first-class runs and 52 career centuries and at 37 years old, Essex will be hoping he can bring more big scores to Chelmsford this summer.

1. David Bedingham – 1,331 runs in 2024 County Championship

Topping the charts was Durham’s David Bedingham, who was in sensational form throughout the season. His six centuries and three fifties powered him to a staggering total of 1331 runs at an average of 78.29.

Bedingham’s highest score of 279 was one of the most dominant displays of batting in the Championship and what made his season even more impressive was that he played three fewer matches than the rest of the players on the list.

We may never see numbers like these over just 18 innings again.