Only a handful of cricketers have crossed the 400-run mark in a single Test match. Discover the rare legends who rewrote cricket history with their unstoppable batting storms.
When One Match Isn’t Enough for Their Batting Fireworks
Test cricket is the ultimate format to test a batter’s skill patience and mindset. But for some players even five days aren’t enough to cool their blazing bats. A rare few have crossed the unthinkable mark of 400 runs in a single Test match not just one innings but both. These cricket giants turned the field into art so they ground bowlers and broke records like it was destiny.
Graham Gooch: The Man Who Made Lords His Kingdom in 1990
In 1990 England’s Graham Gooch gave India a masterclass at Lords. He scored 333 runs in the first innings and 123 in the second so he finished with a jaw dropping total of 456 runs in the match. His bat didn’t just score it ruled.
Mark Taylor: Aussie Elegance Meets Pakistani Grit
In 1998 Australian captain Mark Taylor played a stunning knock against Pakistan. He made 334 in the first innings and added 92 more in the second so his match total reached 426. He became a symbol of grace and steel in whites.
Kumar Sangakkara: The Lankan Legend’s Dhaka Domination
When Sri Lanka met Bangladesh in 2014 Sangakkara turned the Test into his personal stage. He made 319 runs and then came back to hit 105 in the second innings so he finished with 424. A classic display from a true artist with the bat.
Brian Lara: The Prince of Port of Spain Who Stood Alone at 400
Brian Lara is still the only man to score 400 runs in one Test innings. In 2004 he stayed unbeaten on 400 against England and didn’t even need a second innings. That one spellbinding effort still stands tall in cricket history.
Greg Chappell and Matthew Hayden: Aussie Thunderstorms
In 1974 Greg Chappell hammered 247 and 133 against New Zealand so he ended with 380 runs. And in 2003 Matthew Hayden crushed Zimbabwe with 380 runs in just one innings. Neither of them needed to come back to bat again since the job was already done.
Final Word: These Legends Redefined What’s Possible in Test Cricket
Scoring 400 or more runs in a Test match is not just about time or opportunity but about pure passion and unmatched skill. These few names rose above the rest so their bats will forever echo in cricket’s most legendary chapters.