Triple Centuries in Test Cricket
Test cricket, the ultimate test of a batsman’s skill, endurance, and mental fortitude, has witnessed few feats as extraordinary as the triple century—scoring 300 or more runs in a single innings. As of July 2025, this monumental milestone has been achieved 33 times by 29 players across eight Test-playing nations, a feat rarer than a five-wicket haul in an innings. From historic firsts to record-breaking performances, this article explores the legacy of triple centuries, spotlighting the latest addition to this elite list: Wiaan Mulder’s sensational 367* in 2025.
The Genesis of the Triple Century
The triple-century saga began in 1930 when England’s Andy Sandham etched his name in history with 325 runs against the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Scored in a timeless Test, Sandham’s marathon innings laid the foundation for a prestigious club. At 39 years and 275 days, he remains the oldest player to achieve this feat, a remarkable achievement in his final Test. Since then, 32 more triple centuries have followed, with no players from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, or Zimbabwe yet joining the ranks.
The Unbreakable Peak: Brian Lara’s 400*
The pinnacle of Test batting belongs to West Indies’ Brian Lara, who crafted an unbeaten 400 against England in 2004 at Antigua Recreation Ground. This remains the only quadruple century in Test history and a record that has stood for over two decades. Lara also scored 375 against England in 1994, making him one of only four players—alongside Don Bradman, Virender Sehwag, and Chris Gayle—to score multiple triple centuries.
Wiaan Mulder’s Historic Knock
The most recent addition to this illustrious list is South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder, who, on July 7, 2025, scored an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo during his debut as Test captain. Coming in at 24 for 2, Mulder’s innings was a masterclass of composure and aggression, featuring 49 fours and four sixes at a strike rate near 100. His 297-ball triple century is the second-fastest in Test history, trailing only Sehwag’s 278-ball effort in 2008.
Mulder’s knock surpassed Hashim Amla’s 311* (2012) to become the highest individual score by a South African and the highest by a Test captain on debut, eclipsing Graham Dowling’s 239 (1968). South Africa declared at 626/5, leaving Mulder just 34 runs shy of Lara’s 400*.
National Pride and Venues
Australia leads with eight triple centuries by seven players, including Don Bradman’s 334 (1930) and David Warner’s 335* (2019). England and the West Indies follow with six each, while Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka have three apiece. South Africa now has two, thanks to Mulder, and New Zealand has one. Venues like Headingley (Leeds) and Antigua Recreation Ground have hosted three triple centuries each, cementing their place in cricketing lore.
Fascinating Facts
- Multiple Triple Centurions: Only Bradman, Lara, Sehwag, and Gayle have scored two triple centuries, showcasing their exceptional consistency.
- Captains’ Feats: Mulder’s 367* is the ninth triple century by a captain and the first on captaincy debut. Other captains include Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Michael Clarke.
The Complete List of Triple Centuries
Here is the updated list of all 33 triple centuries in Test cricket:
- Andy Sandham (England): 325 vs West Indies, Kingston, 1930
- Don Bradman (Australia): 334 vs England, Leeds, 1930
- Wally Hammond (England): 336* vs New Zealand, Auckland, 1933
- Don Bradman (Australia): 304 vs England, Leeds, 1934
- Len Hutton (England): 364 vs Australia, The Oval, 1938
- Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan): 337 vs West Indies, Bridgetown, 1958
- Garfield Sobers (West Indies): 365* vs Pakistan, Kingston, 1958
- Bob Simpson (Australia): 311 vs England, Manchester, 1964
- John Edrich (England): 310* vs New Zealand, Leeds, 1965
- Bob Cowper (Australia): 307 vs England, Melbourne, 1966
- Bill Lawry (Australia): 300* vs West Indies, Adelaide, 1969
- Graham Gooch (England): 333 vs India, Lord’s, 1990
- Brian Lara (West Indies): 375 vs England, St. John’s, 1994
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): 340 vs India, Colombo, 1997
- Mark Taylor (Australia): 334* vs Pakistan, Peshawar, 1998
- Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan): 329 vs New Zealand, Lahore, 2002
- Matthew Hayden (Australia): 380 vs Zimbabwe, Perth, 2003
- Virender Sehwag (India): 309 vs Pakistan, Multan, 2004
- Brian Lara (West Indies): 400* vs England, St. John’s, 2004
- Chris Gayle (West Indies): 317 vs South Africa, St. John’s, 2005
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): 374 vs South Africa, Colombo, 2006
- Virender Sehwag (India): 319 vs South Africa, Chennai, 2008
- Younis Khan (Pakistan): 313 vs Sri Lanka, Karachi, 2009
- Chris Gayle (West Indies): 333 vs Sri Lanka, Galle, 2010
- Michael Clarke (Australia): 329* vs India, Sydney, 2012
- Hashim Amla (South Africa): 311* vs England, The Oval, 2012
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): 319 vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2014
- Brendon McCullum (New Zealand): 302 vs India, Wellington, 2014
- Azhar Ali (Pakistan): 302* vs West Indies, Dubai, 2016
- Karun Nair (India): 303* vs England, Chennai, 2016
- David Warner (Australia): 335* vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019
- Harry Brook (England): 317 vs Pakistan, Multan, 2024
- Wiaan Mulder (South Africa): 367* vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2025
Why Triple Centuries Endure
A triple century is more than a number; it’s a narrative of resilience, skill, and dominance. From Sandham’s pioneering effort to Mulder’s record-breaking captain’s knock, these innings have shaped Test cricket’s legacy. They inspire fans and players alike, reminding us of the game’s capacity for extraordinary human achievement.
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