Test Cricket: Australia is without a doubt the most successful team in the game of cricket. They have dominated the white-ball format and also in the red-ball cricket. Especially in red-ball cricket, they have performed well in all countries against all kinds of bowling attacks. One of the prime reasons for this is because they have always had some of the biggest names in their batting lineup.
In this article, we will cover such a list of Australian batters in Test cricket. This will feature those Australian batsmen who have scored the most centuries in red-ball cricket for their country, and all the legends are on this list. So let’s take a look.
5. Don Bradman (29 Test hundreds) in 52 Tests
There is only one man who reaches the pinnacle of test cricket. It is none other than Don Bradman, the legendary Australian batter. He made his debut in December 1928 and played 55 Test matches in his 20-year-long career. Bradman ended up being the only batter with an almost 100-run average in test. He scored 6996 runs in just 80 innings at an incredible average of 99.94, with 29 centuries and 13 half-centuries.
4. Mathew Hayden (30 Test hundreds) in 103 Tests
Former Australian opener and one of the best attacking batter from Australia makes fourth on the list. Mathew Hayden made his debut against South Africa in March 1994 and played for 15 years for his country. He ended up scoring 8625 runs in 103 tests, including 30 centuries and 29 half-centuries, for an average of 50.73. He also holds the record for the second highest individual test score of 380 runs in an inning.
3. Steve Smith (32 Test hundreds) in 99 Tests
Steve Smith recently equaled Don Bradman’s record and then Mathew Hayden with the joint-second most centuries for Australia. The former Australian skipper is the best modern-day batter in the longest format. He made his debut in July 2010 against Pakistan as a leg-spinner but turned into the best batsman in the modern era. He has scored 9000+ runs in 92 tests at an average of 60.89 with 30 centuries and 36 half-centuries.
2. Steve Waugh (32 Test hundreds) in 168 Tests
Former Australian skipper, who started the procession of playing the attacking cricket is second on the list. Steve Waugh was known for his attacking play, and that is how he also led Australia across formats. He made his debut in December 1985 against India and played for 19 years. Waugh scored 10927 runs in 168 test matches at an average of 51.06, including 32 centuries and 50 half-centuries.
1. Ricky Ponting (41 Test hundreds) in 168 Tests
The numbers suggest that Ricky Ponting was one of the best batters that Australia has ever had across all formats. He ended up being the most versatile batsman for Australia in Tests and ODIs. He made his test debut in December 1995 against Sri Lanka and played 168 tests in his career. Ponting scored 13378 runs in 168 games at an average of 51.85, with 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.
List of Most Centuries in Test cricket by Australia
Player | Span | Mts | Runs | Avg | 100s | 50s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ricky Ponting | 1995-2012 | 168 | 13378 | 51.85 | 41 | 62 |
Steve Waugh | 1985-2004 | 168 | 10927 | 51.06 | 32 | 50 |
Steve Smith* | 2010-2023 | 99 | 9079 | 60.45 | 32 | 38 |
Mathew Hayden | 1994-2009 | 103 | 8625 | 50.73 | 30 | 29 |
Don Bradman | 1928-1948 | 52 | 6995 | 99.94 | 29 | 13 |
Micheal Clarke | 2004-2015 | 115 | 8643 | 49.10 | 28 | 27 |
Alan Border | 1978-1994 | 156 | 11174 | 50.56 | 27 | 63 |
David Warner* | 2011-2023 | 104 | 8201 | 45.56 | 25 | 34 |
Greg Chappell | 1970-1984 | 87 | 7110 | 53.86 | 24 | 31 |
Justin Langer | 1993-2007 | 105 | 7696 | 45.27 | 23 | 30 |