Batting in test matches is comparatively tougher than that in limited-over matches. The Test match pitches support the fast bowlers in the initial days and become more conducive to the spinners as the days progress. While batting in Test is challenging, it further intensifies when the match is away from home. That is a primary reason we regularly see even the top-rated batsmen of Asian teams struggle against pace, bounce, and swing in SENA conditions. Similarly, the SENA batsmen struggle against spin in Asian conditions.
Although it is a common occurrence for batsmen to struggle in foreign conditions, there have been a few exceptions where batsmen have broken through and scored plenty of runs while playing away from home.
So, here are the top ten Test batsmen in terms of away runs.
P.S. The list includes matches played in the opposition’s home and not those played in neutral venues.
Most Runs in Away Tests
| SN | Batsmen (Team) | Matches | Runs | Average | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar (Ind) | 106 | 8705 | 54.74 | 248* |
| 2 | Rahul Dravid (Ind) | 94 | 7690 | 53.03 | 270 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis (SA) | 74 | 5919 | 53.80 | 189* |
| 4 | Brian Lara (WI) | 66 | 5736 | 47.80 | 277 |
| 5 | Younis Khan (Pak) | 71 | 5608 | 48.76 | 267 |
| 6 | S Chanderpaul (WI) | 81 | 5579 | 46.10 | 203* |
| 7 | Alan Border (Aus) | 70 | 5431 | 56.57 | 200* |
| 8 | Viv Richards (WI) | 73 | 5404 | 50.50 | 291 |
| 9 | Ricky Ponting (Aus) | 71 | 5360 | 45.81 | 206 |
| 10 | Alastair Cook (Eng) | 66 | 5259 | 45.64 | 244* |
Stats Insights:
Joe Root, with 4593 runs at an average of 45.93 in 55 matches, has the most runs in away Test matches among active cricketers. He’s closely followed by Virat Kohli, who has 4170 runs in as many matches. Find out Root’s year-wise Test stats here to see how consistent the former English captain has been.
Sachin Tendulkar also has the most hundreds (29) in away Test matches. However, the record for most fifties in away Test matches is tied by Tendulkar and Dravid as they both have 36 fifties.
Hanif Mohammad has the highest individual score by a touring batsman in foreign conditions. He scored 337 against West Indies in 1958 at Bridgetown.
As a captain, Graeme Smith has scored the most away runs in Test matches. The former South African captain has scored 4854 runs in 52 matches at an average of 53.93 while captaining the side in Test matches in opponent’s homes.
Windies fast bowler Courtney Walsh holds the unlikely record of scoring most ducks (29) in away test matches.
Shane Warne has the greatest number of wickets in away test matches, with 362 wickets in 73 matches.
