Highest Score in Test Cricket: All-Time Individual Records
The highest individual score in Test cricket is 400* by Brian Lara (West Indies v England, 2004). Here are the all-time top scores and what makes them remarkable.
The highest individual score in Test cricket is 400 not out, made by Brian Lara of West Indies against England in Antigua in April 2004. Lara also holds the previous record — 375 against England in 1994 — meaning he has broken his own record. The second-highest score is 380, made by Matthew Hayden (Australia v Zimbabwe, Perth, 2003).
All-time highest individual Test scores
| Score | Batter | Match | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400* | Brian Lara (WI) | vs England, Antigua | 2004 |
| 380 | Matthew Hayden (AUS) | vs Zimbabwe, Perth | 2003 |
| 375 | Brian Lara (WI) | vs England, Antigua | 1994 |
| 374 | Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | vs South Africa, Colombo | 2006 |
| 365* | Garfield Sobers (WI) | vs Pakistan, Kingston | 1958 |
| 364 | Len Hutton (ENG) | vs Australia, The Oval | 1938 |
| 340 | Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | vs India, Colombo | 1997 |
| 337 | Hanif Mohammad (PAK) | vs West Indies, Bridgetown | 1958 |
| 336* | Wally Hammond (ENG) | vs New Zealand, Auckland | 1933 |
| 334 | Don Bradman (AUS) | vs England, Leeds | 1930 |
| 334 | Mark Taylor (AUS) | vs Pakistan, Peshawar | 1998 |
* = not out
Brian Lara’s 400* — what made it historic
Lara batted for more than 13 hours across the innings. He reached 375 — his own previous world record — and continued to 400 not out before the West Indies captain declared. It remains the only 400 in Test history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual batting feats across any format of cricket.
Garfield Sobers’ 46-year record
Before Lara, the record belonged to Garfield Sobers, who scored 365* in 1958. That record stood for 36 years until Lara’s 375 in 1994. Sobers was not out throughout — West Indies declared with him on 365.
Why not-outs appear frequently
Several of the highest scores are not-outs (NOs) because the batting team declared. When a captain calls the innings to give the bowlers time to dismiss the opposition, an in-form batter is often still at the crease. Declaration timing means some potentially higher scores are cut short.
Double-centuries and the 300-run milestone
Reaching 300 in a Test innings is extraordinarily rare. In the history of Test cricket, fewer than 30 innings have exceeded 300. Most are against relatively weaker bowling attacks or on flat pitches, though the skill required to bat that long — 8–15 hours — is never trivial.
Quick summary: Brian Lara’s 400* (2004) is the all-time highest Test score. He also holds the third-highest (375, 1994). Matthew Hayden’s 380 (2003) and Mahela Jayawardene’s 374 (2006) complete the top four.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest individual score in Test cricket?+
Brian Lara's 400 not out for West Indies against England in Antigua (2004) is the highest individual score in Test match history.
Has anyone scored 400 in Test cricket other than Brian Lara?+
No. Lara's 400* remains unique. The second-highest score is Matthew Hayden's 380 (Australia v Zimbabwe, 2003) — a record Lara himself reclaimed.
What is the highest Test score by a captain?+
Several captains feature among the highest Test scores. Hanif Mohammad's 337 (Pakistan v West Indies, 1958) was a long-standing record. Check ESPNcricinfo for the current leader among captains.