Who scored most runs in one Test series? Here are the top 5

The beautiful game of cricket has seen some iconic batting legends across generations. Resilient in their approach and equipped with extraordinary batting prowess, these personalities have gone on to dominate the ball in perhaps the most dismissive fashion. Speaking of the longest format, viewers have witnessed some breathtaking batting masterclasses from some of the best in the business. On the back of their ability to persevere and accumulate runs consistently enough over the course of several days in a Test series, these individuals would go on to etch their names in the record books.  

During their prime years, these legendary batting stalwarts had earned a reputation for stoking fear in the minds of the bowlers. From Sir Donald Bradman's marathon 975 in the 1930 Ashes Test series to Mark Taylor's heroic 839 in a Test series from the contemporary era, the list goes on. In this article, we will highlight the top five Test batters who hold the record for smashing the most runs in a single series.

See also: Steve Smith marks gritty return with 43rd test fifty in Grenada

974 - Donald Bradman vs ENG (Away, 1930 Ashes)

The record for the most Test runs in a single series by a batsman is unequivocally held by Sir Donald Bradman, who amassed a remarkable 974 runs during the 1930 Ashes series against England. Bradman's feat of 974 runs remains the highest single-series aggregate in Test history, a record unmatched for nearly a century. His phenomenal performance included multiple large scores—his highest being 334—across just seven innings. His swashbuckling 334 was the highest individual Test score of the time, which also included 309 runs scored in a single day. The late Australian batting icon was on a roll during that series as he registered four-century scores and one half-century score and averaged a whopping 139.14. As a result of his remarkable run, Australia went on to outclass England in that series by 2-1. 

905 - Wally Hammond vs AUS (Away, 1928-29 Ashes)

Wally Hammond’s performance in the 1928–29 Ashes series in Australia is one of the greatest batting displays in Test cricket history. It was a proud feat for English cricket at that time as Hammond became the first batter in world cricket to bag the record for scoring the most number of runs in a Test series. In just five Tests alone, Hammond amassed 905 runs, a record which was later eclipsed by Bradman almost a year later. In that series, Hammond recorded four centuries and one fifty and also achieved his highest score of 251 at Sydney. Thanks to his heroics with the bat, England were able to steamroll Australia in their own backyard and clinched the series 4-1. 

839 - Mark Taylor vs ENG (Away, 1989 Ashes)

Speaking about batting greatness in the contemporary era, Australia's Mark Taylor etched his name in the record books by becoming the third-highest all-time run getter in a Test series during the 1989 away Ashes tour. A series that comprised six Tests, Taylor amassed 839 runs at a stunning average of 83.9, which also included a double century at Trent Bridge. Taylor laid a solid foundation in the series opener on the back of 136 & 60 to help Australia crush the Poms by a margin of 210 runs. Taylor crossed fifty in eight out of 11 times, making it one of the most consistent batting displays in Ashes history. As a result, Australia went on to hammer England by 4-0 in that series. 

834 - Neil Harvey vs SA (Home, 1952-53)

Neil Harvey’s performance on the 1952–53 tour of South Africa was truly phenomenal, making him the fourth-highest run scorer in a Test series. The late Australian legend went on a run-scoring spree, amassing a breathtaking 834 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 92.66, which involved four centuries. Although he endured a few rough patches in the five-match series, Harvey saved his best till the end for the fifth and final test at Melbourne, where he scripted a monumental 205 to conclude his glorious Test career on a high. In the process, Harvey was able to better the previous record of Bradman's 806 runs against South Africa, which he achieved in the 1931-32 Test series. However, his marvelous feat was overshadowed as South Africa pulled off an unbelievable win by chasing down 295, and as a result, squared the series 2-2. 

829 - Vivian Richards vs ENG (Away, 1976)

Sir Vivian Richards of the West Indies isn't too far behind when it comes to talking about batting greatness. While Vivian boasts a plethora of untouched batting records to his name, it was during the Wisden Trophy series in 1976 in England where he displayed his pure class with the bat. The Antiguan batting stalwart dominated the Englishmen and plundered 829 runs at a staggering average of 118.42 in just four Tests, helping West Indies rout England 3–0. He announced his authority from the get-go by smashing a massive 232 at Trent Bridge in the first Test. Then, in the fifth and final Test, Vivian recorded his career-best Test score of 291, which at the time was the highest individual Test score achieved by any visiting Windies batter in England. Richards' 1976 tour remains legendary—not just for the sheer volume of runs, but for the awe-inspiring authority with which he dominated world-class bowling on English soil.