Highest run-getters for England in
tests.
1) Alastair N Cook (10,042*)
Ten thousand and still going strong. The England captain leads the pack, as he just
crossed the ten thousand mark in the second test of the ongoing Investec Series against
Sri Lanka. He becomes the youngest batsman to reach the milestone and breaks
Tendulkar’s 11-year old record. He features at the twelfth spot in the all time test rungetters. Making the test debut back in 2006, Cook has never looked back and has hardly
had a rough patch. Test cap “630” has scored 28 test centuries till date, with three
double centuries and a top score of 294 to go with it. He has scored over 2000 runs
against the arch rivals Australia. The man, surprisingly, has a better test average away
(49.31) than home (43.43).
Description: Cook on his way to 10000 runs on Day 4 of the second test.
Picture Courtesy: The Indian Express
2) Graham A Gooch (8,900)
From getting a pair on debut, to be the second highest run scorer for England in tests,
Gooch had a rollercoaster ride throughout his career span of two decades. He played in
the era of domination by the West Indies, against whom his mid-forties batting
average is regarded as extremely creditable. His remarkable innings of 333 against
India at Lord’s is the third highest for England in tests. He remained out of the action
for three years after being banned for the controversial 1982 South African rebel
tour. In the years to follow, Gooch has also played the part of being England’s batting
coach. He is the highest run getter at Lord’s. After playing 118 tests, he sorted to
retire at the age of forty-two. He was inducted to ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.
Description: Gooch bats during his innings of 154*, England v West Indies, Headingly,
1991.
Picture Courtesy: ESPN cricinfo.
3) Alec J Stewart (8,463)
The right-handed batsman-wicketkeeper is the most capped player for England in tests.
In his 133 tests appearances for England, Stewart crossed the hundred runs mark 15
times and have a top score of 190 which came against Pakistan in the 1992 Edgbaston
test. Initially he was a specialist opening batsmen for England. It was only after the
retirement of Jack Russell, then full-time wicketkeeper, that Stewart was the unrivalled
wicketkeeper for the English team. He captained England for a short period after
Atherton’s resignation and until Nasser Hussain’s appointment. He became the fourth
player to score a hundred in the 100th test match against the West Indies at Old Trafford
in 2000.
Description: Alec Stewart during his innings of 190 ,England v Pakistan, 1st test,
Edgbaston, 8th June 1992
Picture Courtesy: Getty Images
4) David I Gower (8,231)
The left-handed batsman is regarded as one of the most stylish of his era. He made his
debut in 1978 against Pakistan and also played his last test against them. Gower
became the captain of England team in 1980s. He led the England team to victory in
1985 Ashes. Having played 117 tests, he was one of the most capped England players.
He holds the record for 119 consecutive test innings without a duck. He scored 18 tons
during the span of his 14- year long test career including a top score of 215. He received
the Wisden Cricketer of the year award soon after the debut, in 1979. He was inducted to
the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. Following the retirement, he became a regular
commentator at Sky Sports.
Description: David Gower padded up before going into the middle.
Picture Courtesy: The Times, UK.
5) Kevin P Pietersen (8,181*)
Among all the top five run scorers, the right–handed England batsman has the best
average of 47.28. In his 104 tests for England, the South-Africa born batsman has
scored 23 centuries. His innings of 227 against Australia in second test of 2010-11
Ashes is his career best. He holds the record of second-highest-run total from his first 25
tests. On his test debut on 31st July 2005, he top scored in both the innings and is only
the fourth Englishman to do so. He reached a remarkable feat by scoring 5,000 test runs
in the fastest time, taking 4 years and 243 days to do so. He led the England team in
three tests between 4 August 2008 to 7 January 2009 but resigned after a dispute
with the England coach Peter Moores. Meanwhile, KP is looking for a comeback to
test cricket through his birth nation South Africa.
Description: Pietersen celebrates on reaching the double hundred during his innings of
227 against Australia in Ashes 2010-11.
Picture Courtesy: Getty Images.