Top 10 Batsmen with Most Runs in First Class Cricket

June 25, 2021 By Sourav

First-class cricket is a standard of cricket that consists of three or more days of matches which are scheduled within the duration, maintaining all the traditional rules of the sport. Based on the standard of the competing teams, the sport is adjudged as first-class, i.e. the highest level of cricket. Here we are up with the list of Batsmen with Most Runs in First Class.

In this, the greatest standard of cricket is seen, and from batsmen to bowlers, from wicket-keepers to fielders, the talent of cricketers is at its best. The batsmen being the major part of the sport, first-class cricket has seen the top ones. Here are the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Runs in First Class Cricket. Let’s take a look

Batsmen with Most Runs in First Class Cricket

1. Sir Jack Hobbs

English cricketer Sir John Berry "Jack" Hobbs, nicknamed "The Master", is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in history by many critics. Sir Jack Hobbs played a total of 1325 innings out of 834 first-class matches.

He played for several teams such as Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagram's XI and Surrey in his first-class career between 1905 and 1934, besides his international appearance for the English cricket team.

Hobbs played 107 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 316* in county cricket. He scored a total of 61760 first-class runs with a batting average of 50.70 until his retirement.

He is inducted in the first place in our list of top 10 batsmen with most runs in first-class cricket. The illustrious career of Sir Jack Hobbs in county cricket is decorated with 199 centuries and 273 half-centuries.

2. Frank Woolley

Former English cricketer is the only non-wicket-keeper to have held more than 1,000 catches and took over 2,000 wickets at an average of under 20 in his career. Frank Woolley played a total of 1530 innings out of 978 first-class matches that he played for Kent in his first-class career between 1906 and 1938, besides his international appearance for the English cricket team.

Woolley played 84 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 305* in county cricket. He scored a total of 58959 first-class runs with a batting average of 40.77 until his retirement.

He is inducted in the second place in our list of top 10 batsmen with most runs in first-class cricket. The eminent career of Frank Woolley in county cricket is decorated with 145 centuries and 295 half-centuries.

3. Patsy Hendren

One of the most prolific Former English batsmen Elias Henry Hendren, famously known as Patsy Hendren, also played soccer as wing forward for Brentford, QPR, Manchester City, and Coventry City besides his cricket career.

Patsy Hendren played a total of 1300 innings out of 833 first-class matches that he played for Middlesex in his first-class career between 1907 and 1937, besides his international appearance for the English cricket team.

Hendren played 166 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 301* in county cricket. He scored a total of 57611 first-class runs with a batting average of 50.80 until his retirement.

He is is inducted in the third place in our list of top 10 batsmen with most runs in first-class cricket. The acclaimed career of Patsy Hendren in county cricket is decorated with 170 centuries and 272 half-centuries.

4. Phil Mead

The cricket world regards former English left-handed batsman Charles Phillip Mead as one of the most difficult batsmen to dismiss. He has made his prominence due to his exceptionally straight bat and quick footwork.

Phil Mead played a total of 1340 innings out of 814 first-class matches. He played for Hampshire in his career between 1905 and 1936, besides his international appearance for the English cricket team.

Phil Mead played 185 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 280* in county cricket. He scored a total of 55061 first-class runs with a batting average of 47.67 until his retirement.

He is now inducted in the fourth place in our list of top 10 batsmen with most runs in first-class cricket. The prominent career of Phil Mead in county cricket is decorated with 153 centuries and 258 half-centuries.

5. W. G. Grace

Legendary former English amateur cricketer William Gilbert "W. G." Grace is widely regarded by many cricket fans as one of the most outstanding all-rounders in history. W. G. Grace played a total of 1478 innings out of 870 first-class matches.

He played for several teams such as Gentlemen, Gloucestershire, London County, Marylebone Cricket Club, and South of England in his first-class career between 1865 and 1908, besides his international appearance for the English cricket team.

Grace played 104 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 344 in county cricket. He scored a total of 54211 first-class runs with a batting average of 39.45.

He now holds the fifth place in our list of top 10 batsmen with the most runs in first-class cricket. The notable career of W. G. Grace in county cricket is decorated with 124 centuries and 251 half-centuries.

6. Herbert Sutcliffe

Former English professional cricketer Herbert Sutcliffe was noted for his concentration and determination to cricket. Sutcliffe played a total of 1098 innings out of 754 first-class matches.

He has played several teams such as Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagram's XI and Yorkshire in his career between 1919 and 1945. Moreover, he has also made international appearances for the English cricket team.

Sutcliffe played 124 not-out innings in his first-class career. Besides, he has also achieved his career’s best score of 313 in county cricket. He scored a total of 50670 first-class runs with a batting average of 52.02.

He now holds the sixth place in our list of top 10 batsmen with the most runs in first-class cricket. The eminent career of Herbert Sutcliffe in county cricket is decorated with 151 centuries and 230 half-centuries.

7. Wally Hammond

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack described former English Test cricketer Walter Reginald "Wally" Hammond as one of the four best batsmen in history in his obituary. He played a total of 1005 innings out of 634 first-class matches.

He played for Gloucestershire and South African Air Force in his first-class career between 1920 and 1951. Besides, he has also made international appearances for the English cricket team.

Hammond played 104 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 336*. He scored a total of 50551 first-class runs with a batting average of 56.10.

Without any doubt, he deserves the seventh place in our list of top 10 batsmen with the most runs in first-class cricket. Wally Hammond has made 167 centuries and 185 half-centuries in his remarkable career.

8. Geoff Boycott

Wisden named legendary former English cricketer Geoffrey Boycott as one of five Cricketers of the Year. Geoff Boycott played a total of 1005 innings out of 609 first-class matches.

He appeared for several teams such as the Northern Transvaal and Yorkshire in his career between 1962 and 1986.

Boycott played 162 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 261* in county cricket. He scored a total of 48426 first-class runs with a batting average of 56.83.

He has now earned the eighth place in our list of top 10 batsmen with the most runs in first-class cricket. Boycott has scored 151 centuries and 238 half-centuries in his glorious career.

9. Tom Graveney

Former English cricketer Thomas William Graveney served as the President of the Marylebone Cricket Club for the 2004/5 season. Graveney played a total of 1223 innings out of 732 first-class matches.

He played for several teams such as Gloucestershire, Queensland and, Worcestershire in his first-class career between 1948 and 1972. Besides, he has also made international appearances for the English cricket team.

Graveney played 159 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 258. He scored a total of 47793 first-class runs with a batting average of 44.91 until his retirement.

And, surely he deserves the ninth place in our list of top 10 batsmen with most runs in first-class cricket. Tom Graveney has scored 122 centuries and 233 half-centuries in his grand career.

10. Graham Gooch

Former English cricket captain Graham Alan Gooch is one of the only twenty-five players to have scored over 100 first-class centuries. Graham Gooch played a total of 990 innings out of 581 first-class matches. And, he played for several teams such as Essex and Western Province in his career between 1973 and 2000.

Besides, he also made international appearances for the English cricket team. Graham Gooch played 75 not-out innings in his first-class career and achieved his career’s best score of 333 in county cricket.

He scored a total of 44846 first-class runs with a batting average of 49.01 until his retirement. He definitely deserves the tenth place in our list of top 10 batsmen with the most runs in first-class cricket. Graham Gooch scored 128 centuries and 217 half-centuries in his county cricket career.

Final Words

The top-notch batsmen in first-class cricket, along with the bowlers, keepers, and other players, have maintained the traditional form of cricket, during a time when the face of cricket is constantly changing. These players have made sure that whatever changes happen, cricket always remains the gentlemen’s sport. Share your thoughts about the list of Batsmen with Most Runs in First Class.