Most Hundreds For England In Test Cricket

Joe Root has become the batter with the most Test hundreds for England (X)Joe Root has become the batter with the most Test hundreds for England (X)

England stalwart, Joe Root has rewritten England’s cricketing history by scoring his 34th Test century during the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

Root, having already smashed 143 in the first innings, surged past Alastair Cook's record of 33 centuries in just his 145th Test, compared to Cook's 161.

His defining moment came with a crisp cut off Lahiru Kumara, sealing his seventh Test hundred at Lord's—breaking the record he shared with Graham Gooch and Michael Vaughan.

Joining an elite group of players to score centuries in both innings at Lord's, Joe Root's masterclass further cemented his place as a modern-day legend.

As Root becomes the English batter with the highest number of tons in the longest format of the game, here’s a look at the top five batters with the most Hundreds for England In Test cricket:

5. Colin Cowdrey - 22 Hundreds

Colin Cowdrey (X)Colin Cowdrey (X)

Colin Cowdrey was a cricketer who played with the heart of a lion and the soul of a poet. A career panning over two decades (1954-1975), Cowdrey was the epitome of classical batting. 

His 22 centuries in 114 matches speak volumes about his reliability and technique. Cowdrey was a batsman who could bat on a burning deck and not lose his calm.

Cowdrey’s batting was about his unflinching determination to anchor England’s innings time and again, making him one of the pillars of English cricket during his era.

4. Wally Hammond - 22 Hundreds

Wally Hammond (X)Wally Hammond (X)

Wally Hammond was a cricketer who could turn the course of a match with his sheer presence at the crease. Playing from 1927-1947, Hammond scored 22 centuries in just 85 matches, a feat that underlines his dominance in an era where pitches were less forgiving. 

His average of 58.45, the highest among the top five, reflects his insatiable hunger for runs. Hammond’s 336 not out vs New Zealand remains a massive achievement, a knock that bulldozed the opposition and set a benchmark for future generations.

His ability to lead from the front and score at crucial junctures made him a giant in English cricket, revered and feared in equal measure.

3. Kevin Pietersen - 23 Hundreds

Kevin Pietersen (X)Kevin Pietersen (X)

Kevin Pietersen was England's batting enigma, a maverick who could take the game by the scruff of the neck and change its course within a session. 

Playing from 2005 to 2014, Pietersen amassed 23 centuries in 104 matches, with a flamboyant flair that left bowlers and spectators alike in awe. His strike rate of 61.72 reflects his aggressive approach, always looking to put the opposition on the back foot.

The lanky batter’s presence at the crease was a double-edged sword for the opposition, knowing that he could either implode or explode, often opting for the latter, leaving cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

2. Alastair Cook - 33 Hundreds

Alastair Cook (X)Alastair Cook (X)

Alastair Cook was the embodiment of spirit and consistency, a batsman who could weather any storm. From 2006 to 2018, Cook became the bedrock of England’s batting lineup, scoring 33 centuries in 161 matches.

His ability to bat for long periods was both a blessing and a curse for the opposition, as he ground down bowlers with his focus.

The southpaw’s career was nothing short of spectacular as he consistently piled on the runs and broke records with his methodical approach.

1. Joe Root - 34 Hundreds

Joe Root (X)Joe Root (X)

Joe Root stands tall as England’s most prolific century-maker in Test cricket. Since his debut in 2012, Root has redefined what it means to be a world-class batsman, amassing 34 centuries in 145 matches.

His average of 50.93 is a reflection of his consistency, while his strike rate of 56.98 indicates his ability to balance aggression with caution. What sets Root apart is his ability to adapt to different situations, often being the backbone of England’s innings.

Root’s journey is far from over, and with every match, he continues to etch his name deeper in cricketing history.