Who has scored the most runs in a single Test?
(19 November 2001)

Touring England in 1990, India kicked off their Test campaign on the hallowed greens of Lord's. The visiting captain, Mohammad Azharuddin, won the toss and, hoping to make first use of a fresh pitch and seamer-friendly conditions, invited England to bat.

His opposing number, though, had other ideas. Opening the innings with Michael Atherton, Graham Gooch built up mammoth partnerships with David Gower, Alan Lamb and Robin Smith to help his side along to 653/4 declared. Gooch, along the way, notched up 333 off just 485 balls, picking 43 fours and three sixes off an impotent Indian bowling attack.

India, incredibly, avoided follow-on by just one run, making 454 with the help of hundreds from Ravi Shastri and Azharuddin. Gooch was not willing to give up so easily; completely demoralising the Indians with a 204-run first-wicket partnership, he went on to score another century, making 123 off 113 balls. Setting the tourists a target of 472, England then bowled India out for 224, going one up in the series.

Gooch, thus, aggregated the highest number of runs in a single Test match - a mind-blowing 456. The record still stands a decade later and, just by sheer virtue of its scale, will probably stand for some time to come.

For more details on all the above facts check out [ StatsGuru ]

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