Top 5 run-scorers in Test cricket during the previous decade (2000-2009) 

#2 Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 8,630 runs

Jacques Kallis

Arguably the best all-rounder the game of cricket has ever seen, Jacques Kallis was a calming influence in the South African middle order throughout his career. He played the roles of savior, destroyer and accumulator perfectly, depending on the game situation, and always put his team's interests ahead of personal accomplishments.

He played in 174 innings (101 Tests) in the decade and hit 27 centuries and 42 fifties.

Matches - 101 | Runs - 8,630 | Average - 58.70 | 100's - 27 | Highest score - 189*

---

#1 Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 9,458 runs

Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen of all time. He was the skipper of the mighty Australian team in the previous decade that conquered the cricketing world, and he often led them by example.

Ponting finished his Test career with 13,378 runs and is the second highest run scorer in Tests - just behind Indian great Sachin Tendulkar.

He played in 184 innings (95 Tests) in the decade and hit 32 centuries and 40 fifties, to emerge as the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket during the decade.

Matches - 107 | Runs - 9,458 | Average - 58.38 | 100's - 32 | Highest score - 257