Most Balls Faced in Test Cricket Career
Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game, demanding a blend of skill, patience, and temperament. It’s not just about scoring runs quickly, but also about staying at the crease for long periods and navigating challenging bowling attacks.
This requires not only technical prowess but also mental strength and discipline. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Alastair Cook, Rahul Dravid, and Jacques Kallis have left an indelible mark on the game, showcasing the importance of endurance and skill in the longest format.
Let’s explore the batsmen who have displayed remarkable staying power by facing the most balls in their Test cricket careers.
Most Balls Faced in Test Cricket Career All Time | Top 10 Batsmen
Here is a detailed overview of the top 10 batsmen who faced the most balls in test cricket career:
1- Rahul Dravid (INDIA)
Dravid represented India in test 164 matches and faced a total of 31,258 deliveries in Test cricket during his illustrious career which spanned from 1996 to 2012.
Facing 31,258 deliveries in Test cricket is a testament to Dravid’s durability and his capacity to anchor the innings.
His ability to absorb pressure, tire out opposition bowlers, and accumulate runs steadily contributed significantly to India’s success in Test matches during his tenure.
Throughout his career, Dravid played pivotal roles in numerous memorable partnerships, building crucial foundations for the team.
His dedication to perfecting the art of batting and his willingness to spend long hours at the crease made him a role model for aspiring cricketers.
2- Sachin Tendulkar (INDIA)
Tendulkar played 200 matches for India during his career from 1989 to 2013 and faced total of 29,437 balls. His incredible longevity at the international level is reflected in the substantial number of deliveries he faced, showcasing his durability and adaptability to evolving cricketing conditions.
Over the course of his Test career, Tendulkar accumulated 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, making him the highest run-scorer in Test cricket at the time of his retirement. His 51 Test centuries and 68 half-centuries further solidify his status as a batting maestro.
3- Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, faced a substantial total of 28,903 balls in Test cricket during his career from 1995 to 2013. Kallis’ contributions with both bat and ball made him a pivotal figure in South African cricket.
Kallis played 166 matches for the Proteas. His ability to adapt to different situations and excel in various facets of the game set him apart as one of the most complete cricketers of his generation.
4- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
Chanderpaul’s Test career spanned an impressive 21 years, from 1994 to 2015, during which he played 164 matches for the West Indies and he faced a formidable total of 27,395 deliveries in Test cricket.
His longevity in international cricket is a testament to his enduring skill and commitment to the team’s cause.
Renowned for his unflappable concentration and unique stance, he often held the innings together during challenging periods.
5- Allan Border (Australia)
Allan Border played test cricket for Australia from 1978 to 1994, during which he played 156 matches for Australia. Border’s contributions as a gritty batsman and inspirational leader played a pivotal role in shaping the fortunes of Australian cricket during a crucial period.
As a left-handed batsman, Border was known for his tenacity, resilience, and ability to weather difficult conditions. His prolonged stays at the crease often provided the backbone for the Australian innings.
6- Alastair Cook (England)
Alastair Cook, the former England captain and opening batsman, faced a remarkable total of 26,562 deliveries in Test cricket during his illustrious career from 2006 to 2018.
Cook played 161 matches for England. His unwavering resolve, solid technique, and ability to occupy the crease made him one of England’s all-time greats at the top of the order.
Over the course of his Test career, Cook amassed 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35. His remarkable consistency and mental toughness were highlighted by the fact that he holds the record for the most Test centuries for England, with 33 to his name
7- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Mahela Jayawardene, the elegant Sri Lankan batsman, played 149 matches for Sri Lanka from 1997 to 2014 and he faced a significant total of 22,959 deliveries in Test cricket.
As a right-handed middle-order batsman, he was renowned for his graceful yet effective batting style. His ability to build partnerships and play match-defining innings made him one of Sri Lanka’s greatest Test batsmen.
Over the course of his Test career, Jayawardene scored 11,814 runs at an impressive average of 49.84. His 34 Test centuries and 50 half-centuries underline his ability to convert starts into substantial innings.
8- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara is widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen of his generation, left an indelible mark on the cricketing world with his stylish and effective batting.
He represented Sri Lanka in 134 test matches from 2000 to 2015. Over the course of his Test career, Sangakkara amassed 12,400 runs at an outstanding average of 57.40.
His 38 Test centuries and 52 half-centuries underscore his ability to convert starts into big scores. Sangakkara’s highest individual score in Test cricket was 319 against Bangladesh in 2014.
9- Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ricky Ponting, the iconic Australian batsman and former captain, faced a total of 22,782 deliveries in Test cricket during his career from 995 to 2012. Ponting played 168 test matches for Australia.
As a right-handed batsman, Ponting held the crucial number three position in the Australian batting lineup, and his ability to dominate attacks made him one of the premier batsmen of his generation.
Over the course of his Test career, Ponting scored 13,378 runs at an impressive average of 51.85. His 41 Test centuries and 62 half-centuries highlight his ability to convert starts into significant contributions.
10- Steve Waugh (Australia)
Steve Waugh, the legendary Australian cricketer, faced a total of 22,461 deliveries in Test cricket, marking his endurance, resilience, and significant contributions to Australian cricket.
Waugh, renowned for his tenacity and leadership skills, played a pivotal role in the success of the Australian team during his illustrious career.
Waugh’s Test career spanned from 1985 to 2004, during which he played 168 matches for Australia. As a right-handed batsman, his gritty and determined approach at the crease made him a vital part of the Australian middle order.
His ability to navigate challenging situations and build partnerships with his uncompromising style set him apart as one of the greats of the game.
List of Top 50 Batsmen with Highest Balls Faced in Test Cricket
| Sr. No. | Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Balls Faced |
| 1 | Rahul Dravid (IND) | 1996-2012 | 164 | 286 | 31258 |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 1989-2013 | 200 | 329 | 29437 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis (SA) | 1995-2013 | 166 | 280 | 28903 |
| 4 | S Chanderpaul (WI) | 1994-2015 | 164 | 280 | 27395 |
| 5 | Allan Border (AUS) | 1978-1994 | 156 | 265 | 27002 |
| 6 | Alastair Cook (ENG) | 2006-2018 | 161 | 291 | 26562 |
| 7 | Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 1997-2014 | 149 | 252 | 22959 |
| 8 | Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 2000-2015 | 134 | 233 | 22882 |
| 9 | Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 1995-2012 | 168 | 287 | 22782 |
| 10 | Steve Waugh (AUS) | 1985-2004 | 168 | 260 | 22461 |
| 11 | MA Atherton (ENG) | 1989-2001 | 115 | 212 | 20609 |
| 12 | G Boycott (ENG) | 1964-1982 | 108 | 193 | 20528 |
| 13 | Joe Root (ENG) | 2012-2023 | 135 | 247 | 20113 |
| 14 | Brian Lara (WI) | 1990-2006 | 131 | 232 | 19753 |
| 15 | Younis Khan (PAK) | 2000-2017 | 118 | 213 | 19375 |
| 16 | Hashim Amla (SA) | 2004-2019 | 124 | 215 | 18573 |
| 17 | MA Taylor (AUS) | 1989-1999 | 104 | 186 | 18140 |
| 18 | DC Boon (AUS) | 1984-1996 | 107 | 190 | 18116 |
| 19 | GA Gooch (ENG) | 1975-1995 | 118 | 215 | 18075 |
| 20 | VVS Laxman (IND) | 1996-2012 | 134 | 225 | 17785 |
| 21 | Steve Smith (AUS) | 2010-2023 | 103 | 183 | 17439 |
| 22 | AJ Stewart (ENG) | 1990-2003 | 133 | 235 | 17389 |
| 23 | G Kirsten (SA) | 1993-2004 | 101 | 176 | 16783 |
| 24 | Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/PAK) | 1992-2007 | 120 | 200 | 16345 |
| 25 | DI Gower (ENG) | 1978-1992 | 117 | 204 | 16268 |
| 26 | AB de Villiers (SA) | 2004-2018 | 114 | 191 | 16077 |
| 27 | KS Williamson (NZ) | 2010-2023 | 96 | 168 | 16052 |
| 28 | V Kohli (IND) | 2011-2023 | 111 | 187 | 15708 |
| 29 | IR Bell (ENG) | 2004-2015 | 118 | 205 | 15622 |
| 30 | GC Smith (ICC/SA) | 2002-2014 | 117 | 205 | 15525 |
| 31 | MJ Clarke (AUS) | 2004-2015 | 115 | 198 | 15456 |
| 32 | ME Waugh (AUS) | 1991-2002 | 128 | 209 | 15360 |
| 33 | AD Mathews (SL) | 2009-2023 | 106 | 188 | 15203 |
| 34 | Javed Miandad (PAK) | 1976-1993 | 124 | 189 | 15164 |
| 35 | DL Haynes (WI) | 1978-1994 | 116 | 202 | 15052 |
| 36 | Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) | 1998-2010 | 90 | 156 | 14372 |
| 37 | ML Hayden (AUS) | 1994-2009 | 103 | 184 | 14349 |
| 38 | JL Langer (AUS) | 1993-2007 | 105 | 182 | 14192 |
| 39 | Sunil Gavaskar (IND) | 1971-1987 | 125 | 214 | 14184 |
| 40 | KP Pietersen (ENG) | 2005-2014 | 104 | 181 | 13255 |
| 41 | LRPL Taylor (NZ) | 2007-2022 | 112 | 196 | 12957 |
| 42 | DA Warner (AUS) | 2011-2023 | 110 | 201 | 12275 |
| 43 | CH Gayle (WI) | 2000-2014 | 103 | 182 | 11970 |
| 44 | CG Greenidge (WI) | 1974-1991 | 108 | 185 | 11932 |
| 45 | V Sehwag (ICC/IND) | 2001-2013 | 104 | 180 | 10441 |
| 46 | IVA Richards (WI) | 1974-1991 | 121 | 182 | 9613 |
| 47 | WR Hammond (ENG) | 1927-1947 | 85 | 140 | 7491 |
| 48 | CH Lloyd (WI) | 1966-1985 | 110 | 175 | 6942 |
| 49 | MC Cowdrey (ENG) | 1954-1975 | 114 | 188 | 6272 |
| 50 | GS Sobers (WI) | 1954-1974 | 93 | 160 | 4063 |
Data Source: ESPN Cricinfo
Most Balls Faced in Test Innings
| Sr. No. | Player | Team | Runs | Mins | Balls | Opposition |
| 1 | L Hutton | England | 364 | 797 | 847 | v Australia |
| 2 | GM Turner | New Zealand | 259 | 704 | 759 | v West Indies |
| 3 | RB Simpson | Australia | 311 | 762 | 743 | v England |
| 4 | SG Barnes | Australia | 234 | 649 | 667 | v England |
| 5 | G Kirsten | South Africa | 275 | 878 | 642 | v England |
| 6 | A Sandham | England | 325 | 600 | 640 | v West Indies |
| 7 | KF Barrington | England | 256 | 683 | 624 | v Australia |
| 8 | WR Hammond | England | 251 | 461 | 605 | v Australia |
| 9 | WR Hammond | England | 177 | 440 | 603 | v Australia |
| 10 | RM Cowper | Australia | 307 | 727 | 589 | v England |
| 11 | BC Lara | West Indies | 400* | 778 | 582 | v England |
| 12 | WR Hammond | England | 231* | 460 | 579 | v Australia |
| 13 | ST Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 340 | 799 | 578 | v India |
| 14 | DPMD Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 374 | 752 | 572 | v South Africa |
| 15 | Younis Khan | Pakistan | 313 | 760 | 568 | v Sri Lanka |
| 16 | MA Taylor | Australia | 334* | 720 | 564 | v Pakistan |
| 17 | DL Amiss | England | 262* | 570 | 563 | v West Indies |
| 18 | RS Mahanama | Sri Lanka | 225 | 753 | 561 | v India |
| 19 | BB McCullum | New Zealand | 302 | 775 | 559 | v India |
| 20 | Hanif Mohammad | Pakistan | 187* | 542 | 556 | v England |
| 21 | G Boycott | England | 246* | 573 | 555 | v India |
| 22 | TW Jarvis | New Zealand | 182 | 540 | 555 | v West Indies |
| 23 | DSBP Kuruppu | Sri Lanka | 201* | 777 | 548 | v New Zealand |
| 24 | AN Cook | England | 294 | 773 | 545 | v India |
| 25 | DL Houghton | Zimbabwe | 266 | 675 | 541 | v Sri Lanka |
| 26 | BC Lara | West Indies | 375 | 766 | 538 | v England |
| 27 | MS Atapattu | Sri Lanka | 201* | 684 | 536 | v England |
| 28 | HM Amla | South Africa | 311* | 790 | 529 | v England |
| 29 | AN Cook | England | 263 | 836 | 528 | v Pakistan |
| 30 | WL Murdoch | Australia | 211 | 490 | 525 | v England |
| 31 | G Kirsten | South Africa | 210 | 650 | 525 | v England |
| 32 | CA Pujara | India | 202 | 672 | 525 | v Australia |
| 33 | CT Radley | England | 158 | 648 | 524 | v New Zealand |
| 34 | MD Crowe | New Zealand | 299 | 610 | 523 | v Sri Lanka |
| 35 | GW Flower | Zimbabwe | 201* | 654 | 523 | v Pakistan |
| 36 | Javed Miandad | Pakistan | 260 | 617 | 521 | v England |
| 37 | GT Dowling | New Zealand | 239 | 556 | 519 | v India |
| 38 | GN Yallop | Australia | 268 | 716 | 517 | v Pakistan |
| 39 | Shoaib Mohammad | Pakistan | 163 | 720 | 516 | v New Zealand |
| 40 | S Chanderpaul | West Indies | 136* | 675 | 510 | v India |
| 41 | Younis Khan | Pakistan | 267 | 690 | 504 | v India |
Highest Balls Faced in Test for 1 run
Here is a list top 5 batsmen with most balls faced without scoring a run in test cricket:
| Sr. No. | Player | Balls | Opposition | Year |
| 1 | Cheteshwar Pujara (IND) | 53 | South Africa | 2008 |
| 2 | Faf Du Plessis (SA) | 52 | India | 2015 |
| 3 | Hashim Amla (SA) | 45 | India | 2015 |
| 4 | Rahul Dravid | 40 | Australia | 2007 |
| 5 | Trevor Gripper | 40 | Sri Lanka | 2002 |
Most Balls Faced in ODI Innings
| Sr. No. | Player | Team | Runs | Balls | Opposition | Match Date |
| 1 | GM Turner | New Zealand | 171* | 201 | v East Africa | 7-Jun-75 |
| 2 | GM Turner | New Zealand | 114* | 177 | v India | 14-Jun-75 |
| 3 | Mohsin Khan | Pakistan | 70 | 176 | v West Indies | 22-Jun-83 |
| 4 | Sunil Gavaskar | India | 36* | 174 | v England | 7-Jun-75 |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma | India | 264 | 173 | v Sri Lanka | 13-Nov-14 |
| 6 | CG Greenidge | West Indies | 106* | 173 | v India | 9-Jun-79 |
| 7 | CWJ Athey | England | 142* | 172 | v New Zealand | 18-Jul-86 |
| 8 | A Bagai | Canada | 137* | 172 | v Scotland | 31-Jan-07 |
| 9 | Viv Richards | West Indies | 189* | 170 | v England | 31-May-84 |
| 10 | JN Malan | South Africa | 177* | 169 | v Ireland | 16-Jul-21 |
Most Balls Faced in t20 Innings
| Sr. No. | Player | Team | Runs | Balls | Opposition | Match Date |
| 1 | Aaron Finch | Surrey | 131* | 79 | v Sussex | 13-Jul-18 |
| 2 | MP Stoinis | Stars | 147* | 79 | v Sixers | 12-Jan-20 |
| 3 | BRM Taylor | Rhinos | 140* | 78 | v Eagles | 13-Apr-21 |
| 4 | Zubair Ahmed | Quetta Bears | 111* | 77 | v Bulls | 18-Sep-14 |
| 5 | Misbah-ul-Haq | Pakistan A | 107* | 76 | v NZ A | 9-Jul-06 |
| 6 | CS MacLeod | Scotland | 104* | 76 | v Oman | 16-Mar-12 |
| 7 | HE van der Dussen | North West | 112* | 76 | v S West D | 10-Feb-13 |
| 8 | Aaron Finch | Australia | 172 | 76 | v Zimbabwe | 3-Jul-18 |
| 9 | Paul Stirling | Ireland | 115* | 75 | v Zimbabwe | 1-Sep-21 |
| 10 | Brendon McCullum | KKR | 158* | 73 | v RCB | 18-Apr-08 |
FAQs
Q: How many balls faced Virat Kohli in Test career?
A: Virat Kohli has faced 15,708 balls in his Test cricket career.
Q: How many balls faced Rohit Sharma in Test?
A: Rohit Sharma has faced 6,534 balls in his Test cricket career.
Q: Who has faced most balls in Test cricket India?
A: Rahul Dravid faced the most balls in Test cricket for India with a staggering 31,258 deliveries.
Q: What is the slowest 50 in Test cricket?
A: The slowest 50 in Test cricket belongs to Hanif Mohammad of Pakistan, who scored it in 399 minutes against England in 1968.
