Top 3 run-getters for New Zealand in international cricket

A huge milestone has been reached within the New Zealand side as experienced batter Kane Williamson became the first cricketer to reach 19000 runs across international formats. It has been a great career for the 34-year-old elegant stroke-maker, who has enjoyed his 15 years as BlackCaps player.

Williamson brought up this milestone during the semi-final of the Champions Trophy against South Africa where he ended up also scoring a century and helped his side reach a huge score in the end. There is no doubt that the top-order batter is a modern-day great and has been involved in historic moments for the side where they reached the finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and won the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) as well.

However, apart from Williamson, other great players have scored many runs for the BlackCaps during their careers. Some of these are legendary names in the black and white jersey. Let's discuss:

3 players with most runs for New Zealand across formats

Stephen Fleming

The New Zealand team had potential in the 1990s and 2000s in their bowling and fielding department, but there was one batter who carried the team not only as a batter but as a skipper as well. Stephen Fleming was the first Kiwi batter who threatened the bowling attack and consistently scored runs in Tests and ODis. He has played 395 international games where he scored 15289 runs at an average of 35.47.

Ross Taylor

After Fleming, it was middle-order batting star Ross Taylor who took the run-scoring mantle in international cricket. Taylor was a batter who could not only mesmerize the people with his stroke play but also take on the bowlers with some big hits as well and scored on both sides of the wicket. He retired after playing 450 international games and scoring 18199 runs at an average of 42.72.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is not only the first Kiwi player to reach the 19000-run landmark, but has also become the highest run-getter in New Zealand cricket as well. He has completed 19075 runs in 370 international games at a phenomenal average of 48.66. He has also scored the most 50+ scores and most centuries for 2021 WTC winners.

*Stats last updated: March 6, 2025