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England’s James Anderson (102) holds the record for most not outs in Test cricket. The Englishman is the only player in international Test cricket to remain unbeaten over a hundred times in his career. In his 169 Test playing career so far, Anderson has been dismissed across both innings of a Test match on 24 instances.

West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh is next on the list with 61 not outs in 132 Test matches. In his international career spanning 17 years, Walsh was dismissed in a Test match in both innings on 26 occasions. 

Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan has 56 not outs across 133 Test matches. Muralitharan, renowned for his spin bowling, scored over 1,200 runs in his Test career with his highest score of 67 against India at Kandy in August 2001. 

Amongst batters, West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul (49) has the most not outs in international cricket. The southpaw who is the eighth highest run-getter in Test cricket, remained unbeaten a record 10 times against India in his Test career.

Ishant Sharma has 47 not outs in his Test career - the most by an Indian in five-day cricket. In his international career so far, Ishant Sharma has remained unbeaten the most number of times (12) against England and Australia. 

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh recorded 46 not outs during his Test career. Waugh, who is the joint record holder alongside Ricky Ponting for most Test caps for Australia (168) carried his bat across both innings of a Test match on four instances. 

Former Proteas fast bowler Makhaya Ntini is the only South African to feature in the top 10 list for players with most not outs in Test cricket. Ntini managed to remain unbeaten 44 per cent of the time while batting during his 101 Test playing career. 

Most not outs in Test cricket: Know the list 

Player

Country

Matches

Not outs

James Anderson

England

169

102

Courtney Walsh

West Indies

132

61

Muttiah Muralitharan

Sri Lanka

133

56

Robert Willis

England

90

55

Christopher Martin

New Zealand

71

52

Glenn McGrath

Australia

124

51

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

West Indies

164

49

Ishant Sharma

India

105

47

Steve Waugh

Australia

168

46

Makhaya Ntini

South Africa

101

45


Author: Kaustubh Potdar

Featured photo: Mike Hewitt / AFP

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