It is a massive feat for any batter to score a lot of runs in both innings of a Test. However, if in form, batters tend to make that happen and therefore, depending on the situation of the game, they can accumulate a lot of runs in just one game. Some batters have made it possible to get even close to 500 runs in a single match. On that note, here, we take a look at four players who scored more than 400 runs in a Test match.
1) Graham Gooch (England) – 456 Runs
1st Innings: 333 || 2nd Innings: 123
The English cricketer holds the record for most runs scored in a single game till now. Against India at the Lord’s in 1990, the player could touch a figure close to 500.
Batting first, England made 653 runs and the bulk of these came through Gooch’s triple century. India was all out for 454 and in the second innings, too, Gooch scored well. The opener made a hundred at a strike rate of above 100. India was set a tough target and they lost the encounter.
2) Mark Taylor (Australia) – 426 Runs
1st Innings: 334* || 2nd Innings: 92
This happened against Pakistan in 1998 at Peshawar. It was a top knock by the Aussie opener as it was in conditions that were not so comfortable for players coming from the SENA Nations.
Mark Taylor’s triple century included 32 fours and a six. He remained not out in his first innings while Mushtaq Ahmed got him out in the second innings, just eight runs short of a hundred.
3) Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 424 Runs
1st Innings: 319 || 2nd Innings: 105
One of the greatest knocks played by a Sri Lankan came about in 2014 against Bangladesh at Chittagong. Batting at No.3, Kumar Sangakkara made a triple century in the first innings.
Bangladesh had a strong response in the first innings and hence, the Lankans had to do well in return. Here, as well, Sangakkara was brilliant as he scored a hundred. The match eventually ended in a draw.
4) Brian Lara (West Indies) – 400 Runs
1st Innings: 400* || 2nd Innings: –
It was in 2004 against England that Lara got the first 400 in Test cricket. With this knock, he went to the top of the list with the highest individual score ever.
Of course, Lara did not bat again and despite that, he is a part of this list. For batters in the present and the future, this is one record by the West Indian that they would target.