Top 5 Australian batsmen with most runs in test cricket

Three Australian batsmen have scored more than 10,000 runs in test cricket.

Australia are the most successful team in test cricket history. Australian legacy in the longest format includes nine test maces, including one ICC World Test Championship (WTC) mace.

Throughout their cricketing history, Australia have had prolific run-scorers. Australian batsmen have been instrumental in helping the team post daunting totals and bury the oppositions.

In the modern landscape, several Australian batsmen continue to carry the legacy of their previous all-time greats. Despite encountering challenging pitches at home, few Australian batsmen have cemented their place among the all-time leading run-scorers in the format.

In this article, we will look at the top five Australian batsmen with the most runs in test cricket.

Top five Australian batsmen with the most runs in test cricket:

5. David Warner – 8,786 runs

Regarded as one of the most dynamic openers of the modern era, David Warner redefined the role of test opener with his free-flowing approach. Warner finished his test career in 2024 with 8786 runs in 112 tests with a solid batting average of 44.6.

His aggressive batting style was pivotal in Australia’s recent success in the longest format of the game. He had a strike rate of 70 – among openers with over 5000 test runs, his strike rate is the second-highest, only behind Virender Sehwag’s 83.

4. Steve Smith – 9,702 runs

Hailed by many as Australia’s greatest test batsman since Sir Don Bradman, Steve Smith has amassed 9702 runs in test cricket. What makes Smith special is his outstanding batting average of 56.40, which is despite the dip in form in the last couple of years.

The New South Wales batsman was excellent in Australia’s WTC 2023 triumph, plundering a century against India in the final.

Renowned for his legacy in test cricket, Smith has scored 32 centuries in the longest format. His career-best score of 239 came against England in 2017 at Perth.

3. Steve Waugh – 10,927 runs

One of Australia’s most successful captains, Steve Waugh is Australia’s third-highest test run-scorer. In 168 tests, Waugh scored 10,927 runs at an impressive average of 51.00, with 32 centuries and 50 half-centuries.

What sets Waugh apart is the fact that he achieved this incredible tally while spending the majority of his career batting in the middle order, at No. 5 and No. 6. His Australian side of the late 90s and early 2000s is regarded among the greatest ever test teams.

2. Allan Border – 11,174 runs

Legendary Australian captain and batsman Allan Border is hailed for transforming the Australian team into a cricketing powerhouse. Besides being a brilliant leader, Border was also one of the best batsmen of his time.

Border scored 11,174 test runs at an average of 50.56, cracking 27 centuries and 63 fifties in 156 tests. His highest individual score in test cricket came in 1987 against New Zealand in Adelaide, where his knock of 205 rescued a draw for the hosts.

1. Ricky Ponting – 13,378 runs

One of, if not Australia’s best test batsman, Ricky Ponting has scored the most test runs for Australia – 13,378 runs in 168 tests at an average of 51.85. Ponting’s stellar career included 41 test centuries, also the most by an Australian batsman, and 62 half-centuries.

His highest test score came against India in 2003 in Melbourne, where his 257-run knock helped Australia to a comfortable nine-wicket win.

(All stats are updated till 30th November 2024)

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