Kane Williamson‘s retirement from international cricket has reignited discussion around one of Test cricket’s most exclusive milestones: 10,000 runs.The New Zealand great brought the curtain down on a remarkable 16-year international career with 9,515 Test runs to his name, leaving him just 485 runs short of joining the elite 10,000-run club. His retirement means he becomes the latest modern-day batting giant to finish tantalisingly close to the landmark without quite getting there.Here are four legendary batters who retired just short of the coveted 10,000-Test-run mark.
1. Kane 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 finishes as his country’s highest international run-scorer across formats with 19,346 runs. In Test cricket, he amassed 9,515 runs in 110 matches at an outstanding average of 54.06, including 33 centuries and six double-centuries.Widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever cricketers, Williamson leaves the game just 485 runs shy of joining Test cricket’s most exclusive batting club.
2. Virat Kohli (India)
One of Williamson’s fellow members of the famed “Fab Four”, Virat Kohli also retired before reaching the coveted milestone.The Indian batting superstar announced his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, ending a career that transformed Indian cricket both as a batter and captain.Kohli finished with 9,230 runs from 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, scoring 30 centuries. Given his fitness levels and experience, many believed he still had enough left in the tank to chase 10,000 Test runs, but he chose to walk away with 770 runs still needed.
3. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
One of the youngest captains in Test history and one of South Africa’s greatest leaders, Graeme Smith retired unexpectedly during the final Test of the 2014 series against Australia.Smith called time on his career at just 33 years of age, a decision that stunned the cricketing world considering he appeared to have several years of cricket left 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 within reach.
4. Hashim Amla (South Africa)
Another South African great who narrowly missed the milestone was Hashim Amla.Renowned for his elegant strokeplay and remarkable consistency, Amla retired from international cricket in August 2019 after establishing himself as one of the finest batters of his generation.He accumulated 9,282 Test runs in 124 matches at an average of 46.64 and scored 28 centuries. Amla remains South Africa’s second-highest Test run-scorer and still holds the record for the highest individual Test score by a South African.Like Williamson, Kohli and Smith, Amla finished within touching distance of the historic 10,000-run mark but ultimately fell short of becoming a member of cricket’s most exclusive batting club.