Top 10 bowlers to concede most runs in test cricket

Here we take a look at top 10 bowlers who have conceded most runs in test cricket.

The 90s era was predominantly called bowlers’ era in test cricket. Each of the top eight test playing nations had several match winning bowlers in their camp. Starting from the likes of Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne, the world witnessed close contest between bat and ball across format. In India, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh dominated the bowlers front.

England’s James Anderson is still going strong in his career even after spending more than 20 years as pace bowler in international cricket. Bowling records are mostly about taking wickets, five-fors, maidens, economy, average and strike-rate, but there’s one record which bowlers wouldn’t like to have it to their name. That is conceding most runs. On that note, let’s take a look at bowlers who have given away most runs in test cricket.

Here are the top 10 bowlers who have conceded most runs in test cricket:

10. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 12,441 runs:

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori played 113 test matches for the Blackcaps in his 17-year-long career. Vettori is still New Zealand’s highest wicket-taking spin bowler in test cricket. He took 362 wickets in 28814 balls bowled. In his career, Vettori conceded 12,441 runs in test cricket. Vettori was New Zealand’s one of the biggest match-winners in test cricket.

9. Courtney Walsh (West Indies) – 12,688 runs:

Former West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh was the first ever bowler to pick 500 wickets in test cricket. He took 519 wickets in his test career of 132 matches. In 242 test innings in which Walsh bowled, he conceded 12,688 runs. He played from 1984 to 2001 for West Indies in the longest format of the game.

8. Kapil Dev (India) – 12,867 runs:

India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev is still India’s highest wicket-taking fast bowler in test cricket. Kapil Dev finished his career as the leading wicket-taker in tests, with 434 scalps to his name, a record which was broken by Courtney Walsh six years later. Kapil Dev bowled 27740 deliveries in his test career and conceded 12867 runs.

7. Harbhajan Singh (India) – 13,537 runs:

Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is one of the finest test cricketers to have played for India. Harbhajan Singh played major role in India’s historical test victories during his playing days. Fondly called ‘Bhajji,’ and ‘Turbanator,’ he played 103 test matches for India and picked up 417 test wickets. Harbhajan bowled 28580 balls and conceded 13,537 runs during his test career from 1998 to 2015.

6. Nathan Lyon (Australia) – 15,889 runs:

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon made his test debut in 2011 against Sri Lanka and he is still going strong in the game. Nathan Lyon became eighth bowler to pick 500 or more wickets in test cricket in December 2023. Lyon has so far played 127 test matches and picked up 517 wickets. Lyon has conceded 15889 test runs in 32440 deliveries he has bowled so far.

5. Stuart Broad (England) – 16,719 runs:

Former English pacer Stuart Broad retired from international cricket after the Ashes 2023 against Australia. Broad retired after completing 600 test wickets. Right arm pacer Stuart Broad played 167 test matches and picked up 604 wickets from 2007 to 2023. Broad delivered 33698 balls and conceded 16719 runs in test cricket.

4. Shane Warne (Australia) – 17,995 runs:

Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne finished his test career in 2007 as the then highest wicket-taker with 708 scalps to his name, which was overtaken by Muttiah Muralitharan three years later. Warne was one of the biggest match winners in test cricket during his playing days. Warne went on to play 145 test matches in his 15-year-long career. Warne bowled 40705 deliveries and conceded 17995 runs in his test career. Sadly, Warne passed away in 2022 aged 52.

3. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 18,180 runs:

The highest wicket-taker in test cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan played 131 matches from 1992 to 2010. From most wickets to most five-fors to most 10-wicket match hauls, there are only a few records which Muralitharan doesn’t have to his name in tests. The greatest bowler in terms of wickets taken, Muralitharan bowled 44039 deliveries in tests and conceded 18180 runs.

2. Anil Kumble (India) – 18,355 runs:

Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble is India’s leading wicket taker in test and ODI cricket. Anil Kumble represented India for 18 years and went on to pick up 956 wickets in his international cricketing career. Anil Kumble played 132 test matches and picked up 619 wickets. Fondly known as ‘Jumbo,’ Anil Kumble conceded 18355 runs in 40850 balls delivered in tests.

1. James Anderson (England) – 18,449 runs:

Veteran England pace bowler James Anderson overtook Anil Kumble in the unwanted record of conceding most runs in test cricket on 16th February, 2024. After making his test debut in 2003, Anderson has so far played 185* tests for England and picked up 696* wickets. Anderson has bowled 39655* deliveries and conceded 18,449* runs so far in tests.

(All stats and numbers updated till 18th February, 2024)

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