Test cricket has produced some remarkable batting performances, but few feats are as thrilling as piling up boundaries in one innings. Achieving the Most Fours in a Single Test Innings requires not just timing and skill, but also patience and precision. Over the decades, some batsmen have delivered breathtaking knocks packed with elegant strokes to the fence. These memorable displays of dominance have etched their names in history, leaving fans in awe of their exceptional boundary-hitting ability.
In this list, we count down the top 10 players with the most fours in a single Test innings, starting from number 10 all the way to the ultimate record-holder.
List of op 10 Legendary Players with the Most Fours in a Single Test Innings
Table of Contents
10. Brian Lara – 43 Fours vs England (2004)

Brian Lara, one of the most elegant stroke players the game has ever seen, made history yet again on 10 April 2004 at the Antigua Recreation Ground. Facing England, Lara crafted an unbeaten 400, the highest individual score in Test history. His 43 fours were a blend of masterful timing and calculated aggression. Every shot seemed like a painting on canvas, with cover drives and on-drives finding the fence at will. This innings not only helped him reclaim the world record but also reminded everyone why he was considered a batting genius.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brian Lara | West Indies | England | 400* | 43/4 |
9. Graeme Pollock – 43 Fours vs Australia (1970)

Graeme Pollock, South Africa’s batting maestro, played an unforgettable innings against Australia on 5 February 1970 at Kingsmead. His 274 was filled with elegant strokes, especially his trademark square cuts and drives, which pierced the gaps effortlessly. With 43 fours, Pollock dominated the Australian bowling attack from start to finish. This innings remains one of the finest examples of controlled yet aggressive batting, securing his place among players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Graeme Pollock | South Africa | Australia | 274 | 43/0 |
8. Don Bradman – 43 Fours vs England (1934)

Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest batsman of all time, features multiple times among players with the most fours in a single Test innings. In July 1934 at Headingley, he scored a magnificent 304 against England. His 43 boundaries were the result of precise placement, perfect timing, and relentless scoring. Bradman’s innings came against one of the strongest English bowling attacks of that era, yet he made batting look effortless, cementing his unmatched dominance in Test cricket.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Don Bradman | Australia | England | 304 | 43/2 |
7. Graham Gooch – 43 Fours vs India (1990)

Graham Gooch’s triple century at Lord’s in July 1990 remains one of the most celebrated knocks in English cricket. Facing India, Gooch amassed 333 runs, hitting 43 fours and 3 sixes. His innings combined rock-solid defense with explosive stroke play. Every loose ball was dispatched to the boundary, and his dominance over both pace and spin was remarkable. Gooch’s feat ensures his name stays high on the list of players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Graham Gooch | England | India | 333 | 43/3 |
6. VVS Laxman – 44 Fours vs Australia (2001)

VVS Laxman’s epic 281 at Eden Gardens in March 2001 is remembered as one of the greatest match-winning innings in cricket history. Against a dominant Australian team, Laxman struck 44 fours, relying on his silky wristwork and precise shot placement. His batting turned the match on its head, leading India to a historic comeback victory. This magical innings rightfully earns him a place among players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
VVS Laxman | India | Australia | 281 | 44/0 |
5. Brian Lara – 45 Fours vs England (1994)

On 16 April 1994, Brian Lara produced an innings that redefined greatness. Batting against England at the Antigua Recreation Ground, he scored 375, breaking the world record for the highest individual score at the time. His 45 fours showcased his ability to dominate bowlers without taking unnecessary risks. Lara’s innings was pure batting artistry, further strengthening his position in the elite group of players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brian Lara | West Indies | England | 375 | 45/0 |
4. Don Bradman – 46 Fours vs England (1930)

Bradman’s 334 at Headingley in 1930 is one of the most legendary innings in cricket history. Facing England, he smashed 46 boundaries without hitting a single six. His technical perfection and ability to score all around the ground made this innings unforgettable. This was also one of the earliest examples of a batsman dominating an entire bowling attack over two days, putting him high among players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Don Bradman | Australia | England | 334 | 46/0 |
3. Virender Sehwag – 47 Fours vs Pakistan (2006)

Virender Sehwag was the definition of fearless batting, and his 254 against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium on 13 January 2006 proved it. In just over a day, he struck 47 fours and a six, dismantling the opposition attack with aggressive intent. Sehwag’s innings was not just about power but also about finding the perfect gaps. His boundary-filled knock keeps him firmly among players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Virender Sehwag | India | Pakistan | 254 | 47/1 |
2. Pieter Mulder – 49 Fours vs Zimbabwe (2025)

Pieter Mulder’s unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe on 6 July 2025 at Queens Sports Club was a masterclass in concentration and shot selection. He hit 49 fours and 4 sixes, ensuring that the scoreboard kept ticking at a rapid pace. Mulder’s innings displayed complete dominance, and his record-breaking performance makes him one of the most recent additions to players with the most fours in a single Test innings.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pieter Mulder | South Africa | Zimbabwe | 367* | 49/4 |
1. John Edrich – 52 Fours vs New Zealand (1965)

At the top of the list of players with the most fours in a single Test innings is England’s John Edrich. On 8 July 1965 at Headingley, Edrich scored an unbeaten 310 against New Zealand, smashing 52 fours and 5 sixes. This record has stood for decades, a testament to his skill and endurance. Edrich’s innings was a perfect combination of patience, aggression, and technical brilliance, making it one of the most celebrated performances in Test cricket history.
Player | Country | Opponent | Runs | 4s/6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
John Edrich | England | New Zealand | 310* | 52/5 |
READ MORE:
- Top 10 Players with the Most Sixes in a T20I Innings: Unstoppable Power
- Top 10 Powerful Innings with the Most Sixes in Test Cricket
FAQ
Who holds the record for the most fours in a single Test innings?
John Edrich of England holds the record with 52 fours in his unbeaten 310 against New Zealand in 1965.
Has anyone hit 50 fours in a Test innings after Edrich?
Yes, Pieter Mulder came close in 2025 with 49 fours against Zimbabwe.
Who is the only player to appear twice on this list with different innings?
Both Don Bradman and Brian Lara appear twice for different innings.
Which innings in this list was the fastest in terms of strike rate?
Virender Sehwag’s 254 against Pakistan was the fastest in terms of scoring rate.
What is the highest score in this list?
Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 against England in 2004 is the highest score here and the highest in Test history.