8 Players With Most Runs in Women’s Test Cricket

Women’s Test cricket has been an important part of the game’s legacy, even though it is played far less frequently than the white-ball format.

Women’s Test cricket has been an important part of the game’s legacy, even though it is played far less frequently than the white-ball format. Yet, each inning tells a story of patience, skill and perseverance. Over the decades, we have seen many great women create history with their batting performances in the longest format of the game. From England’s legend Janet Britton to India’s Sandhya Agarwal, these icons have left an unforgettable mark. As of 2025, the top eight run-scorers in women’s Test cricket represent a golden era of dominance.

In this article, we will explore the top 8 highest run-scorers in women’s Test cricket, their records, influence and legacy.

Top 8 Run-Scorers in Women’s Test Cricket (2025)

Rank	Player	Country	Span	Matches	Innings	Not Outs	Runs	Highest Score	Average	100s	50s
1	JA Brittin	England	1979–1998	27	44	5	1935	167	49.61	5	11
2	Charlotte Edwards	England	1996–2015	23	43	5	1676	117	44.10	4	9
3	Rachael Heyhoe-Flint	England	1960–1979	22	38	3	1594	179	45.54	3	10
4	Debbie Hockley	New Zealand	1979–1996	19	29	4	1301	126*	52.04	4	7
5	Carole Hodges	England	1984–1992	18	31	2	1164	158*	40.13	2	6
6	Sandhya Agarwal	India	1984–1995	13	23	1	1110	190	50.45	4	4
7	Enid Bakewell	England	1968–1979	12	22	4	1078	124	59.88	4	7
8	Sarah Taylor	England	1999–2009	15	27	2	1030	177	41.20	4	2

A Closer Look at Cricketing Pioneers

1. Janette Brittin: The Queen of Test Batting

Often considered a great in this format, Janet Britton holds the record for the most runs in women’s Test cricket with 1,935. A brilliant and consistent batsman, Britton led the batting for England for almost two decades. Her ability to convert starts into big scores made her the backbone of the England lineup.

2. Charlotte Edwards: A Colossus of Modern Times

Charlotte Edwards rewrote English cricket history by combining leadership and run-scoring excellence. With 1,676 Test runs, she brought professionalism and global attention to women’s cricket. Her strokeplay was both elegant and authoritative.

3. Rachael Heyhoe-Flint: The Trailblazer for Women’s Cricket

When stadiums were packed and matches were televised. Rachel Heyhoe-Flint was one of the early superstars of women’s cricket. She scored 1,594 runs when opportunities were limited. However, her big match nature made her unbeaten.

4. Debbie Hockley: The Pride of New Zealand

Debbie Hockley still holds the status of New Zealand’s most successful Test batsman, having scored 1,301 runs. An average of 52.04 shows immense reliability. She was often known for her cool presence and defensive strength in pressure situations.

5. Carole Hodges: England’s Aggressive Run-Maker

Carol Hodges was renowned for dominating bowlers in a format usually associated with slow scoring. Her 1164 runs, including a high score of 158*, highlighted her aggressive style and ability to change the game.

6. Sandhya Agarwal: The Pioneer for India’s Test Cricket

With 1,110 runs, Sandhya Agarwal is one of India’s most decorated Test batsmen. Her 190 runs were the highest in women’s Test cricket for years. She is credited with inspiring an entire generation of Indian women cricketers.

7. Enid Bakewell: Elite All-Round Genius

Enid Bakewell’s Test batting average was 59.88, which proves her dominance. In addition to batting, she was a world-class all-rounder who was one of the very few cricketers to score a century and take five wickets on Test debut.

8. Sarah Taylor: Most Stylish Batter of the Modern Game

Known for her superb wicketkeeping and brilliant bowling, Sarah Taylor scored 1,030 runs in Tests. Her fluent strokeplay and easy timing made her a dream to watch.

Impact of Test Cricket on Women’s Game

Women’s Test matches are rarely played, yet they remain the ultimate test of skill, concentration and fitness. Many cricketers believe that red-ball cricket improves technique, which helps them succeed in ODIs and T20s as well. Thus, they were the forerunners of today’s icons and laid the foundation for the creation of modern women’s cricket.

Why the Records Still Matter in 2025?

In the time of fast-moving T20 cricket, long-format statistics continue to represent:

Skill and discipline
Humbly, endurance and patience
Batting and Match Awareness – Thorough understanding of game awareness.

While women’s Test schedules have decreased, the demand to raise red-ball cricket from fans and cricketers alike. This proves the importance of the game’s longest format.

Future of Women’s Test Batting Records

With more and more countries demanding bilateral Test series, talents like India’s Shafali Verma and Australia’s Beth Mooney or England’s Heather Knight could also start challenging the historic record in the coming years.

Well, with the number of Test matches increasing, there are bound to be big changes in the record books. But what will always remain unique is what these eight legends have done.

Conclusion

Today, women’s Test cricket may not make headlines like the T20 league. But it is full of world-class performances, fearless players and unforgettable moments. The top eight run-scorers have not only broken records but also inspired millions. In doing so, they have shown that excellence knows no gender, only hard work, passion and determination. As the world embraces women’s cricket like never before, the legacy of these great batsmen is becoming the foundation of the game.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1. Who are the leading run getters in the women’s test cricket?

England’s Janet Britton has achieved this record (1,935 runs) in 27 Test matches.

Q2. Which Indian woman has the most Test runs?

Sandhya Agarwal is India’s highest Test run-scorer with 1,110 runs.

Q3. Who scored the highest individual score in Women’s Test cricket?

The highest individual score in women’s Test history was 190, made by Sandhya Agarwal (India).

Q4. Why are Women’s Test matches not frequently held?

Schedule priorities, T20 leagues and commercial interests have shifted the focus to the shorter format. This has meant that Test series are becoming less frequent.

Q5. Which country has provided the most players in the top 8 run scorers list?

Six of the eight players are from England, which dominates the list.