Test Cricket: Top 10 highest run scorers of the 80s

The 1980s was an exciting decade for cricket fans: several milestones were achieved during that era. While the West Indian side solidified their hold on the world of cricket, several other teams achieved a lot of success as well.

Team India won their first World Cup while the Australian side also managed to win the first of their five World Championships. Four incredible all-rounders enjoyed immense success across the globe while a lot of batting and bowling greats gained international attention through their inspirational performances.

This list features the highest run scorers from this incredible decade. Cricket fans, especially the younger ones, might have heard about all these players but this list is written with the intention to highlight the best performers statistically across the globe. The list features players from the most prominent test nations during the era. The top ten includes three players each from England and the West Indies, two players from India while a player each from Pakistan and Australia.

The statistics show only two players in the top ten with an average of over 50 which is a clear indicator of the fact that the conditions, which include both bowling and the pitches, are quite easier now as compared to then when even the most talented players struggled to maintain top-notch numbers:

#10 Graham Gooch (ENG)

One of England's greatest batsmen ever features at number 10 in this elite list. Gooch played a total of 56 games during the 80s and batted in 105 innings in total. He scored 3970 runs at an average of around 39 with 8 centuries and 23 half-centuries with his highest score being 196. The English star also registered 7 ducks during that period.

The legend made his debut with a series of ducks in the first two innings but then gradually improved his international form. During the early 80s, he lost his form and ultimately the place in the English side before making a comeback during the mid-80s.

#9 Ian Botham (ENG)

Ian Botham of England

One of England's cricketers ever, Sir Ian Botham played a total of 75 matches during the 80s and batted in 124 innings. He scored a total of 4051 runs at an average of around 34 with 10 centuries and 19 half-centuries. His highest score during the decade was 208. He also scored a total of 12 ducks during that period.

Being an all-rounder, the English superstar also contributed with the ball and thus he was one of the most influential players of the decade. During the decade, he scored tons all over the globe including Australia, India and New Zealand.

#8 Sunil Gavaskar (IND)

Sunil Gavaskar of India.

One of the greatest openers in the history of cricket features at number eight in the list. Gavaskar is the also the only one in the list who did not play the whole decade and retired back in 1987. He played a total of 65 games from 1980 to 1987 and batted in 106 innings in those games. His tally of 4475 runs came at an average of over 46 with 12 majestic centuries and 20 incredible half-centuries. His highest score was a superb 236* against the strong West Indian side and he also failed to score a run on 6 occasions.

The Indian star retired towards the end of the decade with the record of being the highest run scorer in test match cricket. Also, the Indian legend held the record of most centuries in tests as well at the time of his retirement.

#7 Dilip Vengsarkar (IND)

Dilip Vengsarkar of India

The elegant and classy Dilip Vengsarkar of India features at number seven. He scored a total of 4501 runs in 112 innings of the 71 games which he played. He made 12 centuries and 22 fifties and maintained a healthy average of around 47. He also scored 7 ducks during that period. His highest score was a patient 166.

It was during the decade that Vengsarkar established the unique record of scoring three consecutive centuries at Lord's and also became the first visiting batsman to score three tons at the Home of Cricket.

#6 Desmond Haynes (WI)

Desmond Haynes of the West Indies

One of the greatest openers of all time scored a total of 5074 runs in 139 innings of the 81 tests he played during the decade. He averaged around 41 and scored 12 brilliant centuries and 28 outstanding half-centuries with the highest score of 184. He failed to open his account on 7 occasions.

The West Indian began the decade with a hundred in New Zealand and followed that up with several centuries in England during the decade and finally ended the period on a positive note with a brilliant ton against Australia in Australia and then against India in his own backyard.

#5 Gordon Greenidge (WI)

Gordon Greenidge of the West Indies

The opening partner of Desmond Haynes and one of the greatest top-order players ever scored a total of 5094 runs in 123 innings of the 75 tests he played. He scored at an average of around 46. He scored those runs with the help of 12 tons and 25 fifties while failed to open his account on 7 occasions.

His highest score was 223 during the decade but his incredible and brutal innings of 214 against England at the Home of Cricket, back in 1984, was the best performance of his career with the bat.

#4 Sir Viv Richards (WI)

Viv Richards of the West Indies

The King of Swagger and one of the greatest batsmen of all time scored a total of 5113 explosive runs at an average of over 49 in 112 innings of the 78 Tests he played during this competitive decade. His highest score was an amazing 208 scored against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He scored a total of 15 centuries, 28 half-centuries and 7 ducks during that period.

Viv performed across the globe during the decade. His 208 against Australia at the MCG, was scored on the back of 22 fours and 3 sixes at an amazing strike of around 85. His hundred against Indian in India back in 1987 was another brutal display which came at a strike rate of around 100.

#3 Javed Miandad (PAK)

Javed Miandad of Pakistan

Pakistan's greatest batsman made 5642 runs at an impressive average of around 55 during the decade with the highest scores of 280 not out which was also the highest individual score of the decade. The Karachi-born superstar scored a total of 16 centuries and 26 half-centuries while batted in a total of 110 innings of 76 Tests. He failed to open his account on only 3 occasions during this period.

One of only two players whose average never fell below 50, Miandad had a string of memorable performances during the decade. Apart from the highest individual score of the decade which he patiently made against the arch-rivals, India, he also hit an unforgettable 260 against the English side at The Oval in 1987. In the last year of the decade, he further added another gem of an innings to his name by scoring a gigantic 271 against the Kiwis in Auckland.

#2 David Gower (ENG)

David Gower of England

One of the most elegant and stylish players of all time scored a massive total of 6196 runs during the decade by representing his side in 89 games and 157 innings. He maintained a decent average of around 42 with 12 centuries, 32 half-centuries and 4 ducks. His highest score was a classy 215.

Gower played some classy innings during the decade but his best one was a brilliant 173 not out against Pakistan during England's tour of the Asian country in 1984. He also made a gutsy 152 on that tour.

#1 Allan Border (AUS)

Allan Border of Australia

One of the greatest batsmen ever, Allan Border takes the first spot with a huge total of 7386 runs. The legendary star represented Australia in 164 innings of the 97 Test matches during the period and maintained a gigantic average of over 55 during the period. He scored a total of 20 tons, 40 fifties while just 4 ducks during that golden run of his with the bat. His highest score was a superb 205.

The best part of former Australian captain's peak years was that he averaged more overseas as compared to home and his records at home were quite impressive, thus making his away records even more impressive.

He scored hundreds against Pakistan in Pakistan, made runs against India in India, hit New Zealand bowlers all over the park in New Zealand, played brilliantly against England in England, recorded big numbers against the strong West Indian side in the West Indies, and all that along with some impressive knocks in his own backyard.