11 Most Centuries in Test Cricket History, Ranked

Centuries aren’t the only measure of a batter’s greatness. Scoring hundreds is important for any batter in Test cricket, as these are the scores that can prove to be match-winning or match-saving. 

The best players don’t just get to 60 or 70 and throw their wicket away. They have a knack for going big when they get set. 

11 Most Centuries in Test Cricket History, Ranked 

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 51

Sachin Tendulkar has the most centuries in Test cricket history. Tendulkar is also the leading Test run scorer. 

He scored at least a hundred in every country he played, other than Zimbabwe, and notably scored a combined 17 centuries across Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand. 

2. Jacques Kallis – 45

An average of 35.33 in England is the only weakness in Jacques Kallis’ remarkable Test record. 

Kallis, who is arguably the greatest all-rounder ever, had a brilliant record in Australia, India, and New Zealand.

3. Ricky Ponting – 41

Ricky Ponting scored 23 of his 41 Test centuries in Australia. His struggles against India’s spin attack of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh are well-documented. 

One of the best players of the 21st century, Ponting was at his best when the ball was coming onto the bat and he could play his trademark pull shot.

4. Joe Root – 39 

For much of Joe Root’s prime, England have been cricket betting underdogs in their series at the BetMGM online sportsbook. Root was the only reliable English Test batter for several years before the Bazball revolution, often leaving him to recover after early wickets.

After concerns about his conversion rate early in his career, it’s extraordinary Root is up to fourth and has a realistic chance of overtaking Tendulkar. A century in Australia is the final box to check for England’s greatest.

5. Kumar Sangakarra – 38

Kumar Sangakarra is the most elegant batter on this list. A textbook technician, Sangakarra was destined for greatness when he broke into the Sri Lanka team at just 22 years of age.

West Indies was the only country in which he didn’t score a century. 

T-6. Steve Smith – 36

Far from easy on the eye and at the centre of one of cricket’s biggest modern scandals, Steve Smith is a divisive character. 

No one can argue with his record, though. Smith has equally split his Test centuries between home and away Tests, and averages 56.02 in the longest format despite a slump in 2023 and 2024. 

T-6. Rahul Dravid – 36 

Rahul Dravid scored a century in every country he played in. He’s one of the rare players with a higher average away than at home.

Between 1997 and 2009, The Wall never averaged less than 45.88 in a calendar year. Few can match that level of consistency.

T-8. Younis Khan – 34 

Younis Khan played the fewest Test matches of the players on this list. A battler with the very bottom-handed technique, Younis didn’t have the grace of Sangakarra or Root, but he was a run machine.

Trips to the Caribbean were the only time he really struggled. Not many players average over 50 in Australia and England.

T-8. Sunil Gavaskar – 34

Sunil Gavaskar held the record for the most Test runs and the most Test centuries at the time of his retirement. He is the only player with more than 30 Test centuries to have retired in the 20th century. 

Technically superb and with a steely mentality, Gavaskar was renowned for his stubborn displays against hostile fast bowling. His success was a major step in India’s progress from fringe Test team to powerhouse.

T-8. Brian Lara – 34

With an iconic flowing back lift and a knack for marathon innings, Brian Lara was the heartbeat of the West Indian team during a difficult period. Numerous stints as captain saw Lara tackle off-field issues, while starring as far and away his nation’s best player.

His Test centuries were split with 17 at home and 17 away. India was the only country where he didn’t deliver a truly memorable performance throughout his career. 

T-8. Mahela Jayawardene – 34

Imagine how high Mahela Jayawardene would be on this list if he enjoyed more success away from home. Only 11 of his Test hundreds were scored outside Sri Lanka, and he averaged less than 36 in England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. 

His record in Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh was magnificent, and he’s one of the most technically correct batters of the modern era. 

Which Batter Has the Most Centuries in Test Cricket History?

Sachin Tendulkar has the most centuries in Test cricket history with 51, which is six more than any other player.