Test cricket is the toughest format for any player to score with a great level of patience and quality exposed in the game. 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.
Sir Don Bradman still holds the No.1 spot in ICC Men’s all-time test ranking. His batting average of 99.94 is still in the top and remains unbeaten. It has been almost 70 years since he retired, but nobody has come close to his mountainous career batting average. Find out 5 insane Bradman records in Test cricket here.
The table below will list the top 10 batters with the highest batting average in Test cricket history who played a minimum of 50 matches.
Highest Test Batting Average
| BATSMAN | AVERAGE | MATCHES | INNINGS | RUNS | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Bradman (AUS) | 99.94 | 52 | 80 | 6996 | 334 |
| Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG) | 60.73 | 54 | 84 | 4555 | 194 |
| Ken Barrington (ENG) | 58.67 | 82 | 131 | 6806 | 256 |
| Steve Smith (AUS)* | 58.61 | 102 | 181 | 9320 | 239 |
| Wally Hammond (ENG) | 58.45 | 85 | 140 | 7249 | 336* |
| Gary Sobers (WI) | 57.78 | 93 | 160 | 8032 | 365* |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 57.4 | 134 | 233 | 12400 | 319 |
| Jack Hobbs (ENG) | 56.94 | 61 | 102 | 5410 | 211 |
| Leonard Hutton (ENG) | 56.67 | 79 | 138 | 6971 | 364 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | 55.37 | 166 | 280 | 13289 | 224 |
Key Stats
Adam Voges, the former Australia batsman, has the second-highest batting average (61.87) after Bradman. But he has played only 20 Tests.
Vinod Kambli is the Indian player with the highest Test batting average of 54.20 in 17 Tests.
In 200 Test matches, Sachin Tendulkar scored at a rate of 53.78. Find 10 Sachin records that will stay unbeaten ever.
Steve Smith’s giant Test batting average of 58+ makes him the only active player among the current players on this list.
Joe Root and Kane Williamson are the other current generation cricketers to averages above 50 in the longest formats, followed by Virat Kohli who is closing the 50 mark.
