# The 17 Greatest Test Cricket Batters of All Time

> Centuries from different eras, pitches and continents, all chasing the top spot. The averages say one thing and the eye test says another.

*By YPB Team · Published October 21, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-17-greatest-test-cricket-batters-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Sachin Tendulkar** — score 1000/1000
   India's Little Master and the leading Test run-scorer.
2. **Ricky Ponting** — score 755/1000
   Aggressive captain of Australia's dominant 2000s side.
3. **Mahela Jayawardene** — score 745/1000
   Sri Lankan stylist with a 374 Test record.
4. **Joe Root** — score 642/1000
   England's modern-era run machine.
5. **Allan Border** — score 610/1000
   Gritty Australian captain who rebuilt the side.
6. **Kane Williamson** — score 546/1000
   New Zealand's composed Test mainstay.
7. **Jack Hobbs** — score 488/1000
   England's prolific opener of the early 20th century.
8. **Jacques Kallis** — score 423/1000
   South African all-rounder with over 13,000 Test runs.
9. **Garfield Sobers** — score 349/1000
   West Indian all-rounder who hit six sixes in an over.
10. **Kumar Sangakkara** — score 349/1000
   Elegant Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter.
11. **Inzamam-ul-Haq** — score 349/1000
   Pakistan's elegant big-match batter.
12. **Alastair Cook** — score 263/1000
   England's all-time leading Test run-scorer.
13. **Steve Waugh** — score 263/1000
   Tough-as-nails Australian skipper.
14. **Hashim Amla** — score 263/1000
   South Africa's graceful run-scorer, with a famous triple century.
15. **Matthew Hayden** — score 163/1000
   Imposing Australian opener of the 2000s.
16. **Wally Hammond** — score 163/1000
   England's elegant batter of the 1920s and 30s.
17. **Temba Bavuma** — score 163/1000
   South African captain who led them to the 2025 World Test Championship.

Tags: sports, cricket, test cricket, batters