New Zealand is one of the oldest teams to play the game of cricket. They came into existence way back in 1930 after acquiring “Test Status” from the ICC. The Black Caps faced England in their first test in January 1930. New Zealand has won against every opponent it has faced in its nearly century-long history.
Over the years, New Zealand has always treated the fans to some memorable matches. However, this article will have some records related to the Kiwi batters in the longest format. A number of Kiwi batters have established themselves among the best in the world. And this article will consist of such New Zealand batters who have scored the most test runs in a calendar year for their country.
Most Runs in Test Cricket in a Calendar Year for NZ
| Batter | Year | Mts | Runs | HS | Avg | 100s | 50s |
| Kane Williamson | 2015 | 8 | 1172 | 242* | 90.15 | 5 | 4 |
| Brendon McCullum | 2014 | 9 | 1164 | 302 | 72.75 | 4 | 0 |
| Kane Williamson | 2014 | 9 | 929 | 192 | 61.93 | 4 | 2 |
| Ross Taylor | 2013 | 10 | 866 | 217* | 72.17 | 3 | 4 |
| Ross Taylor | 2012 | 10 | 819 | 142 | 54.60 | 3 | 2 |
| Ross Taylor | 2008 | 12 | 818 | 154* | 38.95 | 2 | 4 |
| Ross Taylor | 2009 | 8 | 782 | 151 | 55.86 | 2 | 4 |
| Daniel Vettori | 2009 | 8 | 779 | 140 | 59.92 | 3 | 3 |
5. Ross Taylor – 819 runs in 2012
Ross Taylor was truly a legend who played cricket for New Zealand across all three formats. He is the only Kiwi player to play over 100 games in all three formats. Taylor scored the second highest test run (7683) for New Zealand. In 2012, he was the highest scorer for his country in tests. He scored 819 runs in 10 games at an average of 54.60 with three centuries and two half-centuries.
4. Ross Taylor – 866 runs in 2013
Ross Taylor followed his performance of 2012 with another cracking year in 2013 for New Zealand in test cricket. Just like the previous year, he ended 2013 as the top run-getter from his country. Taylor played 10 games and scored 866 runs in 17 innings at an average of 72.17 with a best of 217 runs not out. In that year, he also smashed three centuries and four half-centuries.
3. Kane Williamson – 929 runs in 2014
Kane Williamson is the best modern-day batter for New Zealand in all three formats. He had many successful years in international cricket. One of his best years came in 2014, when he scored the second most test runs for his country. Williamson played nine games and scored 929 runs at a batting average of 61.93, and his highest was 192. He also made four centuries and two half-centuries along the way.
2. Brendon McCullum – 1164 runs in 2014
Brendon McCullum was a player of his kind from New Zealand who played cricket. He always played an aggressive brand of cricket, irrespective of the format and match situations. That’s why he was so successful. In fact, McCullum is the only Kiwi batter with a test triple century, and it came in 2014, when he scored the second-most runs in a year. McCullum made 1164 runs in 9 games with a best of 302 and an average of 72.75 with four centuries. He was also the first ever Kiwi batter to cross the 1000-run mark in a year in test.
1. Kane Williamson – 1172 runs in 2015
The record for the most test runs for New Zealand in a calendar year is registered under the name of Kane Williamson. He did it in 2015 and broke a number of batting records for his country. Williamson played just 8 games and scored 1172 runs in 16 innings at an incredible average of 90.15 and a best of 242 not out. He also smashed five centuries and four half-centuries in that year.