Australian opener Justin Langer and Indian spinner Anil Kumble topped Test cricket's international batting and bowling lists for 2004. Langer finished as the world's leading run scorer for the year with 1481 runs at an average of 54.85 while Kumble was the top bowler with 74 wickets at 24.84. The left-handed Langer struck five centuries, including a knock of 215, to equal the third highest run tally in a calendar year. The record of 1710 was set by West Indian Viv Richards in 1976.

Langer's Australian team mate Damien Martyn finished second with 1353 runs at 56.38, including six centuries, followed by South African Jacques Kallis, whose 1288 runs came at an astonishing average of 80.50.

West Indian captain Brian Lara regained his individual test world record with an unbeaten 400 not out against England in April while Indian opener Virender Sehwag was the only other player to pass 300 with his 309 against Pakistan in March.

Copyright Reuters, 2005