Most runs in Test cricket: Alastair Cook
Cook has scored 12472 runs in the Test format and sits on the sixth position on the all time list of batters with most runs in red-ball cricket.
Considered as one of England's most successful batters, former skipper Alastair Cook was primarily known as a Test format specialist. Cook, during his 12-year international career, not only achieved success as a batter but also as a captain. Leading the English team in 59 Test matches in his career, Cook led the Three Lions to numerous victories in the red-ball format, playing the dual role to utmost perfection.
Touted as one of the greatest opening batters of all time, Cook in his remarkable career scripted numerous records, etching his name in the history books of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the sport. From being the sixth-highest Test run scorer of all time to the second-highest run-scorer for England ever, Cook garnered all the attention in the career for his classical style of batting and consistency.
Most runs in Test cricket: Alastair Cook
In a total of 161 matches he has represented England in, Cook has scored 12472 runs in the Test format and sits on the sixth position on the all time list of batters with most runs in red-ball cricket. Cook is only the second English batter after Joe Root to feature in the top-10 list of batters with most runs in the longest format. With a highest score of 294, Cook has also smashed 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries in the format and boasts a batting average of close to 46.
In his decorated career, Cook's highest point came in May 2015 when he surpassed the great Graham Gooch's record of most runs scored for the English side in the Test format. Cook overtook Gooch's 20-year-old record of 8900 runs to become the all-time leading scorer for the Three Lions. Cook's first century came against India back in 2006 when he scored an unbeaten 104-run knock to announce his arrival in style in an away Test match.
The talented English batter continued his stellar run in his debut year by smashing three more centuries, out of which two came against Pakistan in the same home Test series and the last one came against the mighty Australians in an away Test series. In his last Test outing against India at the Oval in 2018, Cook departed from international cricket in style with a remarkable 147-run knock. The 2010-2011 Ashes was one of his memorable series' where he scored 766 runs in seven Test innings, playing a pivotal role in the team's first series win in Australia after 24 long years.