Stats: Most Test runs in a calendar year

On the third day of the second Ashes Test at Adelaide, Joe Root became the fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests in a calendar year. He struck his third half-century this year to go with six centuries. With an average of 64.24 and the highest score of 228, Joe Root has scored 1606 runs in 14 matches and 26 innings and is way ahead of other batters, scoring runs in 2021. India’s Rohit Sharma with 906 runs is second behind Joe Root.

Speaking of batters with most Test runs in a calender year, Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf tops the list who had scored 1788 runs in 11 Tests and 19 innings in the year 2006. He achieved an average of 99.33 and the highest score of 202 which he recorded against England at the home of cricket Lords. The right-handed batter amassed 12 50-plus scores in that year with a staggering nine centuries and three half-centuries.

Second, on the list is West Indies Legend Vivian Richards who notched up 1710 runs in the year 1976 in the exact same number of matches and innings as that of Mohammad Yousuf. The Caribbean batter achieved the feat in 11 Tests and 19 innings with an average of 90.00 and the highest score of 291. He struck seven hundred and five fifties that year. His record stood for 30 long years until Mohammad Yousuf broke it in 2006.

Joe Root jumps to the fourth place in the elite list 

The third name in the list is former South African captain Graeme Smith who amassed 1656 runs in the year 2008 in 15 matches and 25 innings. Smith had scored six tons and six fifties that year with an average of 72.00 and the highest score of 232. The former Proteas player was even the captain of the side when he brought up 1656 runs that year.

With 1595 runs, Australia’s former captain Michael Clarke is the fifth name in the list when he achieved the feat in 2012 in 11 Tests and 18 innings. He had a terrific average of 106.33 and scored five centuries and three half-centuries that year. Notably, the triple hundred he scored against India was the highlight of the year 2012. His captain innings of 329* helped Australia beat India in that Test.

England captain Joe Root would like to continue scoring more runs for his side who is struggling to find form in the ongoing Ashes series where they are already 1-0 down in the series and look well set to lose the second Test too.

Most runs in Tests in a calendar year: