Ken WilliamsonHis retirement from international cricket has reignited the debate around one of Test cricket’s most special milestones: 10,000 runs.The New Zealand great capped a brilliant 16-year international career with 9,515 Test runs, leaving him just 485 runs short of joining the elite 10,000-run club. His retirement means he has become the latest batting giant to finish so close to the landmark without reaching the limit.These are four legendary batsmen who retired just short of the required mark of 10,000 Test runs.
1. Cain Williamson (New Zealand)
Williamson’s decision to retire midway through New Zealand’s Test series against England surprised many, especially given how close he was to the 10,000-run milestone.The former New Zealand captain is his country’s highest international run-scorer with 19,346 runs across all formats. In Test cricket, he scored 9,515 runs in 110 matches at an impressive average of 54.06, including 33 centuries and six double centuries.Widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers, Williamson leaves the game just shy of joining Test cricket’s most exclusive batting club with 485 runs.
2. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat, one of Williamson’s fellow members of the famous “Fab Four”. Kohli retired before reaching the coveted milestone.The Indian batting superstar announced his Test retirement on 12 May 2025, ending a career that transformed Indian cricket both as a batsman and captain.Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches with 30 centuries at an average of 46.85. Given his fitness level and experience, many believed he still had enough left in the tank to chase down 10,000 Test runs, but he opted to go with the 770-run requirement.
3. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
One of the youngest captains in Test history and one of South Africa’s greatest leaders, Graeme Smith unexpectedly retired during the final Test of the 2014 series against Australia.Smith called time on his career at the age of just 33, a decision that shocked the cricketing world as it looked like he had many years of cricket ahead of him.The left-hander ended his Test career with 9,265 runs in 117 matches at an average of 48.25, including 27 centuries. Had he continued for a little longer, the 10,000-run mark would almost certainly have been reached.
4. Hashim Amla (South Africa)
Another great South African player who fell well short of this milestone was Hashim Amla.Known for his elegant strokeplay and remarkable consistency, Amla retired from international cricket in August 2019 having established himself as one of the best batsmen of his generation.He scored 9,282 Test runs at an average of 46.64 in 124 matches and scored 28 centuries. Amla is South Africa’s second highest Test run-scorer and still holds the record for the highest individual Test score by South Africa.Like Williamson, Kohli and Smith, Amla came close to touching the historic 10,000-run mark but ultimately fell short of becoming a member of cricket’s most exclusive batting club.
