Who are the leading run-scorers among active Test cricketers?
The list of leading run-scorers in the history of Test cricket is lined with players who have since retired.
It’s well worth noting which batters are still playing the longest format of the international game – and their status among those who have since called it a day.
Enjoy this entertaining and insightful read.
5. Angelo Mathews
Sitting in 36th position among Test cricket’s leading run-scorers – and fifth among those still playing the format – is the Sri Lanka all-rounder. Well, let’s call him a batter for now, as injury continues to limit his role with the ball.
Mathews has been playing Test cricket since 2009 and despite, several stints on the sidelines due to various injuries, has collected more Test runs than former England batters Mike Atherton and Ian Bell – and is closing in on Australia’s Mark Waugh and England’s Kevin Pietersen.
4. Kane Williamson
Another batter prone to injury and periods out of action due to injury is the former New Zealand captain. Williamson has made a name for himself as somewhat of a hunter and gatherer of runs rather than for flashy innings laced with boundaries.
He recently reached 100 Test caps and is nearing 9,000 runs in the format. His conversion rate is outstanding – 32 centuries to 35 half-tons. Those impressive numbers make it entirely understandable why he is among this illustrious top five.
3. Virat Kohli
The Indian talisman has Williamson hot on his heels. They’re only separated by former England captain Graham Gooch. Kohli’s prowess with the bat has arguably been empowered since he gave up the Test captaincy.
Many will remember for decades to come for his superb stretch of form in ODI cricket, but his Test numbers are to be heralded for a long time as well. Kohli is about 1,000 shy at the moment, but is effectively looking to become only the 15th batter in the history of Test cricket to reach 10,000 runs.
Read more: How Ajaz Patel ranks among Ian Botham and Shane Warne
2. Steven Smith
Smith’s move to the top of Australia‘s Test batting order in the wake of David Warner’s exit didn’t really work. It has since been made known that he will return to the middle order, which has been a prolific home for him since the leg spinner-turned-batter started playing international cricket in 2010.
Many of his most famous innings, of course, have come against arch rivals England during the fabled Ashes series. Smith is as animated as they come in his flamboyant leaves and extravagant drives. He is also nearing 10,000 Test runs – and has Pakistan’s Younis Khan and India’s Sunil Gavaskar in his sights.
1. Joe Root
Leading this blockbuster list is the England kingpin. Yet another former captain still playing the game and batting opposition bowling attacks into the ground, Root recently became his country’s top run-scorer in Test cricket.
The great Alastair Cook is now second to Root. In England‘s so-called ‘Bazball era’, Root is happy to stick to what he knows best and hasn’t necessarily adapted his shot selection and stroke play to the fad. That said, we do love it when he whips out reverse hits and switch hits against seamers. These shots are usually reserved for T20I cricket, but not for Root evidently.
