Top 7 England batsmen with most centuries in test cricket

Two England batsmen have scored more than 30 centuries in test cricket.

England are one of the oldest and dominant teams in test cricket. In 1877, England played the first-ever test cricket match against Australia. Over the years, England have produced many incredible batsmen in the longest format of the game who achieved a lot of success in their careers with their consistency and class.

If we look at the stats, only two England batsmen have so far scored over 10,000 runs in test cricket. Alastair Cook was the first one to achieve the feat while Joe Root followed him later. A total of 10 Englishmen have hit over 20 centuries and only two of them have hit more than 30 centuries in the longest format of the game.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top seven England batsmen with most centuries in test cricket.

Top 7 England batsmen with most centuries in test cricket

7. Wally Hammond – 22

Former England cricketer Wally Hammond occupies seventh place on this list with 22 centuries. The former right-handed batsman played 85 tests from 1927 to 1947, scoring 7249 runs in 140 innings. At a wonderful average of 58.45, Hammond also hit 24 half-centuries in his test career.

6. Colin Cowdrey – 22

Colin Cowdrey, who played 114 tests for England, grabs the sixth spot on this list with 22 centuries. Across 188 innings, the right-handed batsman scored 7624 runs at an average of 44.06. Cowdrey also hit 38 fifties in his test career.

5. Geoff Boycott – 22

Geoff Boycott is known as one of the dominant openers for England. From 1964 to 1982, he played 108 tests and slammed 22 tons. Across 193 innings, the right-handed batsman piled up 8114 runs at an average of 47.72. His top test score was unbeaten 246 runs.

4. Ian Bell – 22

Former England cricketer Ian Bell also scored 22 centuries in his test career. In 118 tests Bell played from 2004 to 2015, he mustered 7727 runs at an average of 42.69. The right-handed batter also slammed 46 half-centuries. His top score was 235 runs, which he hammered against India in 2011 at The Oval.

3. Kevin Pietersen – 23

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen captures the third spot on this list. The right-handed batsman scored 23 tons in tests. From 2005 to 2014, he played 104 tests for England. At an average of 47.28, he piled up 8181 runs in 181 innings that comprised 35 fifties.

2. Alastair Cook – 33

Former England captain Alastair Cook played 161 tests for England from 2006 to 2018. During this period, he slammed 33 centuries and scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35. Cook also scored 57 half-centuries. His highest score in test cricket was 294 runs, which he scored against India in 2011.

1. Joe Root – 39

Joe Root steals the top spot on this list with 39 centuries in tests. Root, who is also the all-time leading run-scorer for England in tests, has slammed over 13,500 runs in 158 tests. He owns a brilliant average of over 51 and has also hammered 66 half-centuries. Overall, he has fourth-most centuries in test cricket.

(All stats updated till 3rd August, 2025)

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