5 Australian batters with most runs in international cricket ft. David Warner
Even since West Indies' dominance on the big stage came to an end, Australia have undoubtedly been the most consistent side in world cricket. Their cupboard of ICC trophies is a testament to their amazing success and growth as a team across all formats of the sport.
The Aussies are the most successful side in the ODI World Cup, having won the trophy as many as six times - 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015 and 2023. They were also runners-up in the inaugural edition in 1975 and again in 1996. If we look at T20Is, they were world champions in 2021 and runners-up in 2010.
Australia also are the reigning world test champions, having beaten India in the final of the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) at the Kennington Oval in London. If we look at their famed Ashes rivalry over England, they have won 34 series, while their opponents have won 32. The Aussies have also retained the Ashes six times via draws.
One of the reasons Australia have dominated world cricket over the last few decades can be attributed to the fact that they have produced some high-quality batters. On that note, let's take a look at the top five Australian batters with the most runs in international cricket.
#5 Michael Clarke
Former captain Michael Clarke is fifth on the list of Australian batters with the most runs in international cricket. Clarke played 394 matches (449 innings) across the three formats of the game, scoring 17112 runs at an average of 45.26, with 36 hundreds and 86 half-centuries.
The 43-year-old featured in 115 Test matches and scored 8643 runs at an average of 49.10, with 28 hundreds and 27 half-centuries. Clarke also has a triple hundred in the format. He hit 329* against India in Sydney in January 2012.
The right-handed batter featured in 245 ODI matches and amassed 7981 runs at an average of 44.58, with eight tons and 58 fifties. He was the captain of the Australian team that won the 2015 ODI World Cup at home. Clarke also played 34 T20Is, scoring 488 runs at a strike rate of 103.17, with a best of 67.
#4 Allan Border
Another ex-captain, Allan Border is fourth on the list of Aussie batters with the most runs in international cricket. Border played 429 international matches (517 innings) and scored 17698 runs across Tests and ODIs at an average of 40.77, with 30 hundreds and 102 half-centuries.
The 69-year-old represented the Aussies in 156 Tests and notched up 11174 runs at an average of 50.56, with 27 hundreds and 63 fifties. He was the first player to score 11000 Test runs. Border's highest Test score of 205 came against New Zealand in Adelaide in December 1987.
The left-handed batter also featured in 273 ODIs, scoring 6524 runs at an average of 30.62, with three hundreds and 39 fifties. He was the captain of the Australian team that won the World Cup for the first time in 1987 in India.
#3 Steve Waugh
The No. 3 three position on the list of Australian batters with the most international runs is also occupied by a former captain. Steve Waugh played 493 international matches (548 innings) and notched up 18496 runs at an average of 41.65, with 35 hundreds and 95 half-centuries.
In a legendary career, Waugh played 168 Tests and amassed 10927 runs at an average of 51.06, with 32 hundreds and 50 half-centuries. His best of 200 came in the famous Test against West Indies in Kingston in April 1995 in which his twin brother Mark also scored a hundred.
The 59-year-old also featured in 325 ODIs, scoring 7569 runs at an average of 32.90. His numbers include three hundreds and 45 half-centuries. Waugh was the captain of the Aussie side that lifted the 1999 World Cup.
#2 David Warner
Former opener David Warner occupies the second slot on the list of Australian batters with the most runs in international cricket. Warner featured in 383 matches (474 innings) and totaled 18995 runs at an average of 42.39, with 49 centuries and 98 half-centuries.
The 37-year-old represented Australia in 112 Test matches and scored 8786 runs at an average of 44.59, with 26 hundreds and 37 fifties. His best of 335* came against Pakistan in Adelaide in November 2019, a knock which included as many as 39 fours and a six.
Warner also played 161 ODIs and scored 6932 runs at an average of 45.30, with 22 tons and 33 fifties. In T20Is, he smashed 3277 runs in 110 games at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 142.47, with one ton and 28 fifties. He was the Player of the Series when Australia won the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.
#1 Ricky Ponting
Former captain Ricky Ponting tops the list of Australian batters with the most runs in international cricket. He featured in a total of 560 matches (668 innings) and amassed 27483 runs at an average of 45.95, with 71 tons and 146 fifties.
Ponting played 168 Tests and scored 13378 runs at an average of 51.85, with 41 hundreds and 62 half-centuries. In the ODI format, the 49-year-old featured in a whopping 375 games and smashed 13704 runs at an average of 42.03, with 30 hundreds and 82 half-centuries.
'Punter' was the captain of the Australian sides that won the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cups. He was the Player of the Match in the 2003 final for hammering 140* off 121 balls against India in Johannesburg. Ponting also played 17 T20Is and scored 401 runs, averaging 28.64 at a strike rate of 132.78, with a best of 98*.