It is quite interesting to know that out of all the 12 players who are part of the 10,000 runs club in Test match cricket, only one person is still playing the game, as others have retired from International Cricket. Let’s check out this list.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

On top of the list, it has to be the ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar with 51 Test hundreds and 56 Test half centuries and close to 16,000 Test runs, Sachin comfortably sits at the zenith of this record and it will need some doing to set a new high for people to follow.

2. Ricky Ponting

Next comes the man from Australia who has 41 Test Hundreds alongside his name. A delight to watch when in full flow, Ponting is also said to be one of the best captains in world cricket. Ponting’s Australia was a side that everyone feared because of the kind of fearless cricket they played and the kind of team they were. Ponting was in race to get to the first place of this record but retired from international cricket when he had a tally of a little over 13000 Test runs.

3. Jacques Kallis

The South African all rounder is arguably the best all rounder that the world cricket has ever produced. With less than 100 runs of short of Ponting’s Tally, he comes third in the list of highest runs in Test Cricket, when you add to that the number of wickets and catches Kallis has taken, Kallis becomes perhaps the most valuable cricketer in terms of balancing the team.

4. Rahul Dravid

The wall of Indian Cricket, Rahul Dravid is perhaps the most technically sound player in the list. Rahul Dravid’s tally of 13,288 runs is just one short of Jacques Kallis. Dravid was also one of the best slip fielders in Test cricket for India and therefore it was a common sight to read caught Dravid bowled Kumble or caught Dravid bowled Harbhajan on scoreboard, whenever India played Test match cricket.

5. Kumar Sangakara

Kumar Sangakara’s average of over 57 is the highest in this list, which tells you that most of the time when Sangakara got going it was a headache for bowlers to get him out. Sangakara was a special batsman, because he knew his limitations pretty well. With 12,400 runs he is number 5 in this list. We cannot tend to talk about Sangakara and not mention wicket-keeping. Sangakara still the best wicket-keeper of Sri Lanka and one of the best in world cricket.

6. Brian Lara

Another technical magician, Lara would get the ball in the gap every time. Lara is remembered in Test cricket for the word record of highest individual Test score of 400*. With 11,953 runs for West Indies Lara is number 6 in the list, and perhaps one of the best West Indian to have ever played the game of cricket.

7. Shivnarine ChanderPaul

Chander Paul made his debut four years later Lara, but went on to become the second highest run getter in Tests for West Indies. He is remembered for his extremely open stance and yet manage to play balls that even the technically sound players found difficult. Chanderpaul with over 11,000 runs is 7th in the list.

8. Mahela Jayawardene

Sri Lanka’s Jayawardene along with Sangakara redefined Sri Lankan cricket. Both became the highest run getters in Tests and even in one dayers for their nation and also had a famous partnership which helped Sri Lanka win many Tests. 11,814 runs aren’t enough, Jayawardene contributed with his fielding as well and was one of the finest catchers in the Sri Lankan squad that he was part of.

9. Allan Border

Australia’s Allan Border came at a different age than the other batsman in this list and therefore Border’s record has a different value altogether because cricket was a lot different in those days. Border retired in 1994, when Dravid didn’t even make his debut. Border’s 27 Test hundreds were a record for quite some time and with 11,174 runs he is still number 9 on the list even after 22 years of his retirement.

10. Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh redefined cricket for Australia not with his bat alone but also with his style of captaincy and that helped Ponting later on to carry forward the legacy. 10,927 runs and 32 Test hundreds are just indication of how dangerous he was when he was in full flow.

11. Alastair Cook

Cook is the only man to feature in the list who is still active in international cricket and presently with 30 Test hundreds and close to 11,000 runs he is number 11 on this list. However, if he stays for some time to come he might be in race to reach right at the top of the list, surpassing Sachin. He is the highest run getter for England in Test cricket and a good captain as well.

12. Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar debuted even seven years before Border and yet to be in this list shows the kind of impact that he had on the game. Gavaskar dominated every opponent and every bowler in his era when West Indies was dominant in world cricket. With 34 Test Hundreds, Gavaskar made India proud on numerous occasions. He was the first batsman to cross 10000 mark.