Top 10 Batsmen with most runs against a single team in Tests

Top 10 Batsmen with most runs against a single team in Tests: The higher the stakes, the greater the contest is something that has been a part of cricket ever since it was first played. Certain batsmen love raising their game against a particular opposition. They take up the challenge which brings out the best in them. Here’s a look at the Top 10 Batsmen with most runs against a single team in Tests: 10. Kumar Sangakkara v Pakistan – 2911: Kumar Sangakkara. (© Getty Images) The great left-hander played 23 matches against Pakistan and scored 2911 runs at a mighty impressive average of 74.64. This included 10 tons and 12 fifties with a best of 230 at Lahore in March 2002. This match was the final of the 2002 Asian Test Championship which featured Bangladesh as the third team. Sanga’s brilliant knock helped Sri Lanka win the match by 8 wickets and lift the Cup. Also Read – 9 Most unexpected records in cricket 9. Geoffrey Boycott v Australia – 2945: Geoffrey Boycott. (Photo Source: PA Photos) The prolific opener played 38 Ashes Tests scoring 2945 runs at an average of 47.50 against the Aussies. This included 7 tons and 14 fifties with a best of 191 at Leeds in August 1977. It was a marvelous knock that enabled England to post 436 in the first innings thereby securing a huge win by an innings and 85 runs. The home team took the 5 match series 3-0 with the final Test being a draw. 8. Brian Lara v England – 2983: Brian Lara. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Brian Lara made a world record and regained it 10 years later against the same opposition. The genius played 30 matches against England scoring 2983 runs at an average of 62.14. He registered 7 tons and 11 fifties with the best of 400* in the drawn Test at St. John’s in Antigua in April 2004. This was the same ground where he had made 375 in April 1994. Lara’s unbeaten quadruple century remains the highest individual Test score of all-time. 7. Steve Waugh v England – 3200: Steve Waugh. (Photo Source: AFP) The tenacious and gutsy Steve Waugh played 46 Ashes Tests scoring 3200 runs at an average of 58.18. This includes 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries. His best was 177* at Leeds in June 1989. This was Waugh’s maiden Test hundred and it helped his team win the first of the 6-match series by 210 runs. One of the greatest captains of all time, Waugh typified the Australian grit more than any of his teammates in an illustrious career. 6. Sir Garry Sobers v England – 3214: Sir Garry Sobers. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The iconic West Indian played 36 matches against England scoring 3214 runs at an average of 60.64 including 10 tons and 13 fifties. His best was 226 at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The match ended in a draw on a good batting surface. Widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder ever to have graced the game, Sobers was the first batsman ever in first-class cricket to hit six sixes in a single over of six consecutive balls. 5. David Gower v Australia – 3269: David Gower. (Photo Source: PA Photos) The elegant left-hander was one of England’s finest ever batsmen. He played 42 Ashes Tests and scored 3269 runs at an average of 44.78. This included 9 hundreds and 12 fifties. This also featured his career best of 215 at Manchester in August 1985. He followed this match-winning effort with a 157 in the 6th and final Test at the Oval; it was a brilliant knock that sealed the series 3-1 for England. Gower was at the peak of his powers during the series scoring a staggering 732 runs at an average of 81.33. 4. Allan Border v England – 3548: Allan Border. (© Getty Images) Another Ashes hero was the former Australian captain Allan Border. The left-hander played 47 matches against England scoring 3548 runs at an average of 56.31. He hit 8 hundreds and 21 half-centuries. His best was 200 at Leeds in July 1993, in a match which Australia won. One of the greatest captains of all time, Border is justifiably credited for re-establishing the credibility and image of Australian cricket. 3. Sachin Tendukar v Australia- 3630: Sachin Tendulkar. (© GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) The little master fought many great battles against the Aussies in a long and remarkable career. He played 39 matches against a team that comprised some of the best bowlers in the world and scored 360 runs at an average of 55.00. He scored 11 hundreds and 16 fifties including the best of 241* at Sydney in the New Year Test of 2004; the 4th and final match of the series. Though the match was a drawn, India dominated it for most parts and even had a chance to seal the series which eventually ended 1-1. 2. Sir Jack Hobbs v Australia – 3636: Sir Jack Hobbs. (Photo Source: AllSport UK Ltd) The original master of batting, Jack Hobbs is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He played 41 Tests against the Aussies scoring 3636 runs at an average of 54.26. This includes 12 hundreds and 15 fifties with the best of 187 at the Adelaide Oval in January 1912. The knock helped his team take a huge first innings lead thereby ensuring a win by 7 wickets. He remained the only centurion in the match from both the sides. 1. Sir Don Bradman v England – 5028: Sir Don Bradman. (© Allsport Hulton/Archive via Getty Images) The world’s greatest ever batsman dominated the English bowlers to no end. He scored a remarkable 5028 runs at an average of 89.78 including 19 tons and 12 fifties. His career best 334, the then world record, scored in July 1930 at Leeds remains one of the most iconic knocks ever witnessed. On the 1st day of this match, he scored a century before lunch, added another century between lunch and tea before finishing the day on 309 and remains the only Test batsman to pass 300 in one day’s play. The match ended in a draw due to bad weather and was abandoned on the 4th day, much to the relief of the home side who was 51.5 overs into its second innings being asked to follow-on. Also Read – Top 10 Bowlers with most wickets against a single team in Tests (All Stats Updated Till 20th December, 2015)