Top 10 batsmen with most centuries in test cricket

Only three batsmen have hit over 40 hundreds in test cricket.

A century in test cricket is one of the most cherished achievements for any batter in his career because it takes a lot of dedication, patience and hard work to reach the three-figure mark in the longest format of cricket. Then there are a few cricketers who seem to have made it a habit of scoring centuries in test cricket.

There are only three batters who recorded more than 40 test centuries. In this article, we will talk about this elite list of batters who have scored the most centuries in test cricket.

List of top 10 batsmen with the most centuries in test cricket:

10. Brain Lara (WI) – 34

Brian Lara is one of the greatest batters of all time. The left-hander is the only batsman to breach the 400-run mark in an innings in test cricket.

Lara played 131 tests between 1990 and 2006 and scored 11953 runs at an average of 52.88. The southpaw scored 34 hundreds and 48 half-centuries in his test career.

9. Mahela Jayawardene (SL) – 34

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was the backbone of his team across formats. He holds the record for the fourth-highest individual test score (374).

Jayawardene played 149 tests for Sri Lanka between 1997 and 2014, scoring 11814 runs at an average of 49.84. He registered 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries in his career.

8. Sunil Gavaskar (IND) – 34

The first batter to reach the landmark of 10,000 test runs was Sunil Gavaskar. He did it while facing some of the fiercest pacers of all time.

Gavaskar played 125 tests between 1971 and 1987 and scored 10122 runs at an average of 51.12. He scored 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries with a best of 236 not out.

7. Steve Smith (AUS) – 36

Hailed as the greatest Australian batsman since Don Bradman, Steve Smith is Australia’s second-highest test centurion with 36 centuries.

In 118 tests, the former Australian skipper has scored over 10000 runs at an average over 56 with 36 tons. Smith started his career as a leg-spinner as Australia hunted for the heir to Shane Warne but he’s now become the best test batsman of his generation. He is only the fourth Australian batsman to amass over 10000 test runs.

5. Rahul Dravid (IND) – 36

Rahul Dravid’s solid technique and defence earned him the nickname “Mr. Wall.” Dravid was a bankable batter in the Indian team for most past of his career.

Dravid played 164 tests between 1996 and 2012 and scored 13288 runs at 52.31 with a best of 270. He slammed 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries in test cricket.

6. Joe Root (ENG) – 37

Former England captain Joe Root has been the most consistent batter in test cricket since 2021. His numbers in the last four years are unreal, and he is climbing this ladder of most test runs rapidly. Root has notched up at least five centuries each in three of the last four years.

Root has 37 centuries and 66 half-centuries and has amassed over 13000 runs, becoming England’s leading test run-scorer by surpassing Alastair Cook. He also has the most centuries and most half-centuries for England in test cricket.

4. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 38

Kumar Sangakkara is arguably the best all-format batter from Sri Lanka. The southpaw was unstoppable at times in test cricket, and his batting average of 57.40 is simply astonishing. Sangakkara played 134 tests between 2000 and 2015 and scored 12400 runs with a career-best of 319. He recorded 38 centuries, including the second-most double centuries (11), and 52 half-centuries.

3. Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 41

Ricky Ponting was a great mixture of consistency and aggression. He was one of the key reasons that Australia dominated world cricket for a long time in the 1990s and 2000s.

Ponting played 168 tests between 1995 and 2012 and scored 13378 runs at 51.85 with a best of 257. The former Australian captain scored 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.

2. Jacques Kallis (SA) – 45

Jacques Kallis was one of the rarest breed of cricketers who won matches consistently with both bat and ball. He has a better batting average than Sachin and a better bowling average than Zaheer Khan. That is enough to tell about his legacy. He played 166 tests and scored 13289 runs at an average of 55.37 with 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 51

There aren’t many batting records where you won’t find Sachin Tendulkar at the top. Tendulkar, who is arguably the greatest batsman ever, holds the record for most matches, most runs, most centuries, and most half-centuries in test cricket. He played 200 tests between 1989 and 2013 and scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.78. The Master Blaster registered 51 test centuries and 68 half-centuries in this period.

(All stats updated till 11th July, 2025)

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