Test cricket is the toughest format for any player. Scoring with the same consistency of performance in this format is not a piece of cake. Having a great career batting average is still a dream for many players. But, many players gave consistent performances, inspired generations of players and fans, and led their team to victory.
The table below will list the top 10 batters with the highest batting average in Test cricket history.
Highest Test Batting Average
| BATSMAN | AVERAGE | MATCHES | INNINGS | Not Outs | RUNS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Bradman (AUS) | 99.94 | 52 | 80 | 10 | 6996 |
| Kamindu Mendis (SL) | 62.66 | 14 | 24 | 3 | 1316 |
| Adam Voges (AUS) | 61.87 | 20 | 31 | 7 | 1485 |
| Graeme Pollock (SA) | 60.97 | 23 | 41 | 4 | 2256 |
| George Headley (WI) | 60.83 | 22 | 40 | 4 | 2190 |
| Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG) | 60.73 | 54 | 84 | 9 | 4555 |
| Edward Paynter (ENG) | 59.23 | 20 | 31 | 5 | 1540 |
| Ken Barrington (ENG) | 58.67 | 82 | 131 | 15 | 6806 |
| Everton Weekes (WI) | 58.61 | 48 | 81 | 5 | 4455 |
| Wally Hammond (ENG) | 58.45 | 85 | 140 | 16 | 7249 |
Key Insights on Leading Batting Averages in Test Cricket
Don Bradman’s Batting Average Records in Tests
Australia’s Don Bradman holds the record for the highest batting average in Test cricket. He averaged 99.94 while aggregating 6996 runs in 80 innings.
Bradman also boasts the highest batting average at home in Tests. He scored 4322 runs at 98.22 in 50 innings in Australia.
Bradman’s average crossed 100 in overseas Tests, making him the only one to do so. He aggregated 2674 runs at 102.84 in 30 innings.
The former Australian batter’s average of 102.84 is the highest by a batter in a single country in Tests.
This makes Bradman the only batter to average above 90 in two countries in the longer format.
Venue and Opposition Specific Test Average Records
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson is the only batter to average above 80 at a single ground (Seddon Park, Hamilton) in Tests.
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara has the highest batting average against a Test team. He averaged 95.57 while scoring 1816 runs in 21 innings against Bangladesh.
Annual Consistency and Captaincy Stats
Jacques Kallis has recorded the highest batting average in a calendar year in Tests. He scored 1288 runs at 80.50 in 21 innings in 2004.
Kallis (70 in 2001) and Steven Smith (73.7 in 2015 & 76.76 in 2017) are the only two Test batters to average above 70 in two years.
Bradman has also registered the highest batting average as a captain in Tests. He scored 3147 runs at 101.51 while leading Australia in 24 Tests (38 innings).
Opener & Wicketkeeper Test Batting Average Excellence
England’s Herbert Sutcliffe has the highest Test average as an opener, having aggregated 4522 runs at 61.1 in 83 innings.
South Africa’s AB de Villiers has the highest batting average as a wicketkeeper in Tests. He averaged 57.41 while collecting 2067 runs in 39 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower is the only other wicketkeeper to average above 50 in Tests, having scored 4404 runs at 53.7 in 100 innings.
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