Joe Root and Virat Kohli, of course – but who are the 2 Australians among the 5 players with the most runs as Test captain?
Being a captain of a Test cricket side is a very demanding job. There is no formula to follow; it’s a strategic battle of chess that unfolds over multiple days, where the conditions change and where decisions made on day one can still have huge consequences on day five. It’s as much a physical battle as it is one of attrition and mental fortitude.
Not everyone is cut out for the role. Some players thrive with the responsibility of captaincy, performing better when in charge, while others struggle, with their performance dipping as the weight of leadership takes its toll.
Of course, there are different styles of captaincy and different styles of batting, but the reality is that the captains who thrive are the ones who inspire their men to follow. A captain doesn’t have to be the best player on the team, but he must be able to hold his place.
Most importantly, he needs to be a focal point that his players can rally around. They must strive to play for him while he must strive to set the tone. It’s demanding work.
With that in mind, here are the players who have scored the most Test runs as captains of their teams:
5. Joe Root (England) – 5,295 Test runs as captain from 118 innings at an average of 46.44
Joe Root’s tenure as England captain had its ups and downs, but his batting remained exceptional. Root’s ability to accumulate runs with his elegant technique made him a consistent performer even when carrying the responsibility of leadership.
His double centuries in challenging conditions, including the subcontinent, showcased his class. As captain, he became England’s highest run-scorer in Test history, a testament to his resilience and run-making prowess.
He tops a list of great England batters who have captained their country including names like Graham Gooch, Alastair Cook and Mike Atherton.
4. Virat Kohli (India) – 5,864 Test runs as captain from 113 innings at an average of 54.80
Virat Kohli led India with aggression and passion, and his batting thrived under the added responsibility. Known for his intensity, Kohli scored prolifically as captain, dominating the best bowling attacks worldwide.
His memorable innings include masterful knocks of over 200 against every Test side he played against (with the exception of Australia). Kohli’s ability to chase down targets and his penchant for big scores defined his captaincy era.
His batting average as skipper was almost eight runs per innings higher than his career average which says a lot about how he thrived with the leadership.
3. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 6,542 Test runs as captain from 140 innings at an average of 51.51
Ricky Ponting was not only an aggressive leader but also a reliable run-scorer. His attacking stroke play and ability to lead from the front made him one of Australia’s greatest captains.
Ponting’s leadership coincided with one of the most dominant periods in Australian cricket, and his centuries in Ashes battles and World Test Championship games cemented his legacy.
Batting at number three Ponting was surrounded by incredible batsmen on all sides – the likes of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer opened while players like Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey followed him. It was a wonderful team to lead and to play in.
2. Allan Border (Australia) – 6,623 Test runs as captain from 154 innings at an average of 50.94
Allan Border inherited a struggling Australian side but transformed it with his resilience and no-nonsense leadership.
Known as ‘Captain Grumpy’, he led with a steely determination, and his ability to score runs in tough situations became the bedrock of the team’s eventual resurgence.
Border’s ability to apply himself off the field at training and in the nets was as well-known and revered as his bravery in the middle as he inspired his team to be better in every area of the game.
1. Graeme Smith (South Africa) – 8,659 Test runs as captain from 193 innings at an average of 47.83
Graeme Smith became South Africa’s captain at just 22, and he matured into one of the game’s greatest leaders.
His ability to anchor the innings and lead with courage defined his era. Smith’s iconic double centuries in England in 2003 (277 at Edgbaston and 259 at Lords), which led South Africa to series wins, showcased his immense skill and determination.
He remains the highest run-scorer in Test history as a captain.
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