Test cricket is the longest format, requiring patience and the ability to perform calmly without rushing much. Hitting boundaries often looks like a rarity in the format due to its rigorous and long-lasting nature. However, many cricketers over the years have ensured, that their game was not just confined to building an innings through running between the wickets but also scoring timely boundaries to ensure the flow of momentum.
Top Players with Most Fours in Test Cricket
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | 100 | 50 | 4s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 329 | 15,921 | 248* | 51 | 68 | 2,058 |
Rahul Dravid | 164 | 286 | 13,288 | 270 | 36 | 63 | 1,654 |
Brian Lara | 131 | 232 | 11,953 | 400* | 34 | 48 | 1,559 |
Ricky Ponting | 168 | 287 | 13,378 | 257 | 41 | 62 | 1,509 |
Kumar Sangakkara | 134 | 233 | 12,400 | 319 | 38 | 52 | 1,491 |
Jacques Kallis | 166 | 280 | 13,289 | 224 | 45 | 58 | 1,488 |
Alastair Cook | 161 | 291 | 12,472 | 294 | 33 | 57 | 1,442 |
Mahela Jayawardene | 149 | 252 | 11,814 | 374 | 34 | 50 | 1,387 |
Joe Root | 143 | 261 | 12,027 | 254 | 32 | 63 | 1,306 |
Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 164 | 280 | 11,867 | 203* | 30 | 66 | 1,285 |
Let us look at the batsmen to hit the most fours in test cricket history.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
![Sachin Tendulkar](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Sachin-Tendulkar-1.webp)
Known as the ‘Little Master’ of cricket, Sachin was known for his wittiness and patience that he unleashed in different areas of the game. The former Indian player holds the record for hitting the highest number of fours in the game’s longest format. Scoring nearly 16,000 runs in 200 matches, Sachin hit 2058 boundaries which is the most by any player.
2. Rahul Dravid
![Rahul Dravid](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rahul-Dravid.webp)
Former Indian captain and batsman Rahul Dravid was known as ‘The Wall’ of test cricket. Dravid could toil every bowler to a very high point. However, this was not the only ability the former Indian player would possess while playing test cricket. Dravid could timely score boundaries whenever it was required for his team.
3. Brian Charles Lara
![Brian Charles Lara](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Brian-Charles-Lara.webp)
Brian Lara of the West Indies is considered one of the finest batsmen in the world. The left-hander also holds the record of scoring the highest score (400) in an inning in test cricket. Lara is known for his splendid stroke play and mind-boggling pursuit of gradually building an inning in test cricket. The West Indian led the side for a very long period. Talking about his boundaries, Lara holds the record for scoring the third-highest number of fours (1559) in test cricket and the highest from his country.
4. Ricky Ponting
![Ricky Ponting](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ricky-Ponting-1.webp)
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is known for his relentless pursuit in the field and mental strength in dealing with stressful situations. Ponting had a fabulous record of hitting 1509 fours in 168 matches where he scored 13,378 runs.
5. Kumar Sangakkara
![Kumar Sangakkara](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kumar-Sangakkara-1.webp)
Sangakkara is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers of all time not just in tests but in every format of the game. The former Sri Lankan left-hander has registered the record for hitting the fifth-highest number of fours in test cricket, hitting a total of 1491 runs from 134 matches where he scored 12400 runs.
6. Jacques Kallis
![Jacques Kallis](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jacques-Kallis-.webp)
Regarded as one of the most phenomenal all-rounders of his time, Jacques Kallis made a cut in almost every list featuring sparkling records for the batsmen. The South African was a force to reckon with in his playing days with a zeal to perform well every match that he featured in. Kallis was one of the toughest players to face in test cricket. Scoring 13289 runs in 166 matches in test cricket, Kallis scored 1488 boundaries, the highest from his country and sixth overall.
7. Alastair Cook
![Alastair Cook](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Alastair-Cook.webp)
Former England skipper Alastair Cook carved his name as one of the most elegant players to watch in test cricket. Cook led the English side to many victories in his career. In 161 matches, the left-hander had scored nearly 12472 runs where he held the record for being amongst the top batsmen to score the highest number of boundaries in test cricket with 1442 fours overall.
8. Mahela Jayawardene
![Mahela Jayawardene](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Mahela-Jayawardene.webp)
Former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene held impressive records in test cricket. The right-handed batsman was also regarded as one of the most challenging batsmen to bowl to. From 149 Jayawardene played in his career, he scored 11814 runs which included 1387 fours.
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
![Shivnarine Chanderpaul](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Shivnarine-Chanderpaul.webp)
Shivanarine Chanderpaul often drew attention for his unconventional style of batting though played fearlessly. The left-hander was one gem of a player in tests for the West Indies with his striking approach to the game. Chanderpaul had scored 11867 runs from 164 matches with an impressive boundary count of 1285 fours in test cricket.
10. Joe Root
![Joe Root](https://fantasykhiladi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Joe-Root.webp)
Another extremely graceful and elegant player in the field, England’s Joe Root is currently the only active player to feature in the list of players to hit the highest number of fours in test cricket. Root had an impressive record in tests too, scoring 11,416 runs in 135 matches with 1247 fours in test cricket to his name.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who has hit the most fours in a single test cricket inning?
John Edrich has the record for hitting the most fours in a single test inning, hitting 52 fours in an inning.
2. Who has the most fours in cricket history?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for hitting the most fours in cricket history.