England reached a significant milestone in Test cricket on Saturday during the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, becoming the first team to exceed 500,000 Test runs.
This remarkable achievement occurred in their second innings on Day 2 as they expanded their lead after dismissing New Zealand for 125 in response to their first innings total of 280.England, bolstered by Harry Brook’s century in their first-innings total of 280, dismissed New Zealand for a mere 125, with Guy Atkinson and Brydon Carse claiming impressive four-wicket hauls. In their second innings, opener Ben Duckett provided the visitors with a strong foundation through a composed 92, while Jacob Bethell contributed a pivotal 96 runs from the No. 3 position.
By the close of play, England’s total in Test cricket had reached 500,126 runs from 1,082 matches and 18,954 individual innings, setting a record unparalleled in the sport’s 147-year history.
500,000 reasons to love England ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yvm1wRogeE
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 7, 2024
Australia, England’s long-standing adversaries, rank second on the list with nearly 429,000 runs from 868 Tests since 1877. India occupies third place with 278,751 runs from 586 matches, followed by the West Indies with 270,429 runs in 582 matches, and South Africa, who round out the top five with 218,108 runs from 470 Tests.
England also top the list for the most centuries scored, with 929 hundreds in the format. They are trailed by Australia (893), India (552), the West Indies (502), and Pakistan (433).
This landmark achievement highlights England’s supremacy and enduring presence in the Test arena as pioneers of the sport.
Read more: Jasprit Bumrah Achieves Remarkable Feat on First Day on the Adelaide Test
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
