Top 5 players who scored the highest runs without scoring hundreds in international cricket history (ODI, test)?

In international cricket history, there have been several players who have scored a significant number of runs without ever reaching the milestone of a century (100 runs) in either One Day Internationals (ODIs) or Test matches. While centuries are often celebrated as a mark of a batsman's excellence, consistent run-scoring without reaching that triple-digit mark is also a remarkable achievement. 

Here are the top five players who scored the highest runs without scoring hundreds in international cricket history:

1-  Rahul Dravid (India):

  • Test Runs: 13,288 runs in 164 matches
  • ODI Runs: 10,889 runs in 344 matches
  • Rahul Dravid, often referred to as "The Wall," is one of the most respected and technically sound batsmen in the history of cricket. Despite his impeccable consistency and longevity in both Test and ODI formats, he never managed to score a century in ODIs. In Test cricket, he amassed over 13,000 runs, showcasing his ability to grind it out in the longest format of the game.

2-  Jacques Kallis (South Africa):

  • Test Runs: 10,289 runs in 166 matches
  • ODI Runs: 11,579 runs in 328 matches
  • Jacques Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. He had a stellar international career that spanned over two decades. While he scored 45 Test centuries, he surprisingly never managed to score an ODI hundred, despite accumulating more than 11,000 runs in the format. His consistency with both bat and ball made him a legend of the game.

3-  Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies):

  • Test Runs: 11,867 runs in 164 matches
  • ODI Runs: 8,778 runs in 268 matches
  • Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a stalwart for the West Indies in both Test and ODI cricket. His unorthodox batting style and unwavering determination allowed him to amass a remarkable number of runs in international cricket. Despite his prolific Test career and scoring 30 centuries in the format, Chanderpaul never scored an ODI hundred.

4-  Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan):

  • Test Runs: 8,830 runs in 120 matches
  • ODI Runs: 11,739 runs in 378 matches
  • Inzamam-ul-Haq, often called "Inzy," was a colossal figure in Pakistan cricket. He was known for his elegant stroke play and ability to anchor an innings. Inzamam scored 25 Test centuries, but remarkably, he never managed to reach the three-figure mark in ODIs, despite accumulating over 11,000 runs in the format.

5-  Ross Taylor (New Zealand):

  • Test Runs: 7,517 runs in 105 matches (as of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021)
  • ODI Runs: 8,574 runs in 233 matches (as of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021)
  • Ross Taylor is a prolific New Zealand batsman who has been a mainstay in both Test and ODI formats. At the time of my last update in September 2021, Taylor had not scored a century in ODIs despite being one of New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorers in the format. He has, however, scored multiple Test centuries and continued to be a vital part of New Zealand's cricketing success.

6-  James Anderson (England) - Test Runs: 1189, ODI Runs: 42

  • James Anderson is one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. He is known for his exceptional bowling skills but has not scored a century in either Tests or ODIs. His contributions have primarily come with the ball.

8-  Allan Border (Australia):

  • Format: Test Cricket and ODI Cricket
  • Runs without a century in Tests: Over 11,000 runs
  • Runs without a century in ODIs: Over 3,700 runs
  • Allan Border, one of Australia's greatest cricket captains, had an impressive career but did not score an ODI century during his time. He scored over 11,000 runs in Test cricket without reaching a century.

9-  Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka):

  • Format: ODI Cricket
  • Runs without a century in ODIs: Over 7,500 runs
  • Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain, was a key figure in Sri Lanka's cricket history. While he was primarily an ODI specialist, he scored over 7,500 runs in ODIs without registering a century.

10-  Dale Steyn (South Africa) - Test Runs: 1185, ODI Runs: 180

  • Dale Steyn, another renowned fast bowler, has been a vital part of South Africa's cricketing success. While he has been instrumental with the ball, his batting contributions have been limited.