10 Astounding Test Cricket Records

Test cricket records are not easy to make. Why? Because it is a form of first-class cricket played at the international level, consists of four innings, and lasts up to five days. Thus, making a record is an astounding feat in Test Cricket.

The countries that are members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) compete in Test cricket matches. Every country’s team comes with their A-game on the field, making it a tough challenge.

But along with challenges come opportunities. This format of cricket will test the player’s endurance and abilities. Those who can stand against the tough competition can create records in their name.

Over the years, many players have been able to grab the opportunity and make numerous astounding Test cricket records. These records, in a way, set a bar for the coming generation of new players.

Today we are looking at some of the top astounding Test cricket records. We have selected ten records from numerous records that we believe are the top and almost impossible to outdo.

We hope this has piqued your interest. So without further ado, let us get into these astonishing Test cricket records!

Quick Overview

Here is a quick overview of our top ten Test cricket records rankings in the table below!

10 Astounding Test Cricket Records

We have compiled our list with the help of internet sources like Kreedon and SportsBrowser. 

10. Rahul Dravid’s Most Catches In Test cricket

Our list’s first Test cricket record is by 51 year-old Rahul David. The former captain of the Indian national team has the Test cricket record for the most catches.

Nicknamed “The Wall,” Dravid is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. His career spanned from 1996 to 2012 for 16 years.

As of October 2012, Dravid holds the record for the most catches taken by a player (non-wicketkeeper) with 210 catches in Test cricket. Since his playing career, he has been serving as a cricket coach.

9. Jim Laker’s Test Match Bowling Figures

Jim Laker was a former English professional cricketer born on February 9, 1922. He played for Surrey County Cricket Club from 1946 to 1959 while representing England in 46 Test matches.

Laker is regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history. He holds the record for being the best bowling figure in a Test match.

In 1956, Laker took 19 wickets (of a maximum of 20) in a Test match at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. It is a world record that is held to date, making him the best bowling figure in a Test Match.

The match has been famously dubbed “Laker’s Match.” It is, therefore, one of the outstanding records in Test cricket. The legendary figure passed away at age 64 on April 23, 1986.

8. Muttiah Muralitharan’s Most Test wickets

On number 8, we have 52 year-old former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan. He is widely regarded as the most successful and greatest bowler in cricket history.

Muralitharan’s bowling action was called into question several times during his career. The unusual hyperextension of his congenitally bent arm during the ball delivery created controversy.

However, he was cleared by ICC twice, and Muralitharan made the Test record for most wickets. He is the only bowler to take 800 Test wickets to date.

As a result, Wisden’s Cricketer Almanack rated Muralitharan the greatest Test match bowler in 2002. Similarly, he became the first Sri Lankan cricketer inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

7. Graham Gooch’s Most Runs In A Test match

On number 7, we have former English first-class cricketer Graham Gooch’s record for the most runs in a Test match. Now 71 year old, he is one of his generation’s most successful international batsmen.

Gooch’s career spanned from 1973 to 2000. During his professional career, he was the most prolific run scorer of all time and one of the only twenty-five players to score over 100 first-class centuries.

In the first Test match against India held at Lord’s in 1990, Gooch made the record for the most runs in a Test match. He made a combined score of 456 runs. In the first innings, he scored 333 and managed to score 123 in the second inning.

The record is yet to be bested by anyone. Gooch retired from his playing career and transitioned into coaching after 118 Tests. He became the ICC Cricket Hall of Famer in 2009.

6. Courtney Walsh’s Most Ducks In a Test career

It might come as a surprise, but yes, there is a Test record for the most ducks in a Test career. The record is held by a former Jamaican cricketer, Courtney Walsh.

He is considered one of the all-time great cricketers. Now 62, year-old Walsh captained the West Indies team in 22 Test matches and played 132 Tests in his professional career.

Previously, he held the record for the most Test wickets, which Kapil Dev kept. Later Walsh’s record was broken by Shane Warne in 2004.

In his 132 Test match career, Walsh made this rather unwanted record when he got out for zero runs on 43 instances. He became the batsman with the most ducks in his Test career.

In 1987, Walsh was named among the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Meanwhile, he became the ICC Cricket Hall of Famer in October 2010.

5. Sir Leonard Hutton’s Inning Of 847 Balls

After the rather impressive Test cricket record, we have Sir Lenord Hutton’s record on our number six. He set the record more than 20 years ago, but no one has ever come close to breaking it. Astonishing, isn’t it?

Wisden Cricketer Almanack named Hutton one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. Born on June 23, 1916, he played from 1934 to 1955 and 79 Test matches for England between 1937 and 1955.

Hutton set the record for the highest individual innings in only his sixth Test match appearance in 1938. He scored 364 runs against Australia in 847 deliveries in the first innings.

Critics regarded Hutton as one of the leading batsmen. Even after he retired, he remained involved in the sport and became president of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1990.

Shortly after becoming the president, Hutton passed away on September 6, 1990, at age 74.

4. Hanif Mohammad’s 970 Minutes Battle

For our fourth pick, we have Hanif Mohammad’s 970 minutes battle. Born on December 21, 1934, the Pakistani cricketer played 55 Test matches.

Mohammad was considered one of the best batsmen of his time. However, in his 17 years of career, he played only 55 Test matches. He was the first cricketer from his country to score a triple hundred in a Test match.

In 1958, when Pakistan toured the West Indies, the world saw Mohammad’s incredible resistance skill that lasted 970 minutes. He scored 337, the only three-figure score from the Pakistani team during the match.

Mohammad battled on the pitch for 970 minutes and helped secure a draw in the match. Indeed an astounding feat that is unlikely to be repeated in cricket history. Mohammad passed away at age 81 on August 11, 2016.

3. Brian Lara’s Highest Individual Test Score

On number 3, we have Brian Lara’s highest individual test score. The 55 year-old former cricketer is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Lara topped the Test batting rankings on several occasions. Similarly, he also holds several other cricket records. But since we are talking about Test cricket records, we are talking about his highest individual score in Test innings.

Australia’s Matthew Hayden previously held the record with 380 records. Then in 2004, Lara broke the record after scoring 400 not out at Antigua during the 4th test against England.

The match may have ended in a draw, but with his new record, Lara was victorious. He retired from all forms of international cricket on April 19, 2007. Lara became the ICC Cricket Hall of Famer in 2012.

2. Sachin Tendulkar’s International Matches, Runs, And Centuries In Test Cricket

When it comes to making centuries, 51 year-old Sachin Tendulkar is the best. Regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the sport’s history, he is the highest run-scorer in Test cricket with more than 15000 runs.

Nicknamed “The Little Master,” the former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian cricket team played 200 Test matches. He amassed 51 centuries in 198 Test matches with 15,837 Test runs.

Tendulkar’s record is not only astounding but also unlikely for anyone to break anytime soon. In 2002, Wisden ranked him the second-greatest Test batsman of all time, behind Don Bradman.

Tendulkar was named into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019. His playing career is decorated with numerous accolades, awards, and records. He retired from all forms of cricket after playing his 200th Test match in 2013.

1. Don Bradman’s Test Career Batting Average

Our list’s number one astounding Test cricket record is Don Bradman’s record. Born on August 27, 1908, he was an Australian international cricketer whose professional playing career spanned 20 years.

During his career, Bradman, nicknamed “The Don,” amassed a Test batting average of 99.94. His average is considered the most extraordinary achievement by any sportsman in any major sport.

Given his achievements and feats, Bradman is unquestionably one of the greatest in history.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard called him the “greatest living Australian.” His image appeared on postage stamps and coins. He passed away at age 92 on February 25, 2001.

Bradman’s record for Test career batting average is one of those records that are among the most unbeatable. Posthumously, the legendary cricketer became the ICC Cricket Hall of Famer in 2009.

Conclusion

Making a record itself is a considerable achievement. In Test cricket, it is challenging to create records as the format of the game is one of the toughest. It takes a lot of skills and endurance ability to achieve the feat.

These Test cricket records on our list are some of the best and most unlikely records to break. However, the records have created benchmarks for other cricketers and the coming generations of cricketers.