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Top 10 highest successful run chase in Test cricket
Test cricket is often considered as the most important format in cricket by fans. The five days of battle allows teams to have multiple chances of comebacks in the match, despite trailing behind for a good amount of time in the game. One of the toughest aspects of Test cricket is chasing a big total in the fourth innings of the game, which is usually considered as the toughest time to bat for any team. However, there are multiple instances where teams have surprised their opponents by chasing down a mountain of a total to emerge victorious in the game. Here is the list of top instances where teams chased down the impossible totals to win the match.
Highest successful run chase in Test cricket history
17
Australia
India
339
16-12-1977
WACA Ground
18
Australia
South Africa
336
20-01-1950
Kingsmead
19
South Africa
Australia
335
15-03-2002
Kingsmead
20
England
Australia
332
29-12-1928
21
Australia
South Africa
331
08-03-2002
Newlands
22
India
Australia
328
15-01-2021
23
Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe
326
14-01-1998
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
24
New Zealand
Pakistan
324
24-02-1994
AMI Stadium
25
West Indies
England
322
25-08-2017
Headingley
26
West Indies
Pakistan
317
13-03-1958
Bourda
27
New Zealand
Bangladesh
317
17-10-2008
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
28
Australia
England
315
17-01-1902
Adelaide Oval
29
England
Australia
315
16-08-2001
Headingley
30
Pakistan
Australia
314
28-09-1994
National Stadium (Karachi)
31
Australia
South Africa
310
17-11-2011
32
West Indies
Australia
308
26-03-1999
Kensington Oval
33
Australia
Bangladesh
307
09-04-2006
Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium
34
England
New Zealand
305
14-02-1997
AMI Stadium
35
Sri Lanka
South Africa
304
13-02-2019
Kingsmead
36
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
302
16-01-2014
37
England
New Zealand
299
10-06-2022
Trent Bridge
38
England
Australia
297
01/03/1895
39
England
New Zealand
296
23-06-2022
Headingley
40
South Africa
Australia
295
06-02-1953
41
England
New Zealand
294
23-05-2008
Old Trafford
42
Australia
South Africa
292
31-03-2006
43
Australia
South Africa
287
02-01-2006
44
Australia
England
286
08-03-1929
45
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
285
09-03-2023
Hagley Oval
46
South Africa
England
284
02-01-1906
Old Wanderers
47
England
New Zealand
284
10-06-2004
Trent Bridge
48
England
Australia
282
01-01-1908
49
West Indies
England
282
05-02-1998
50
England
New Zealand
282
20-05-2004
Lord’s
Top 10 highest successful run chase in Test cricket
1. West Indies vs Australia (St John’s, 2003) – 418 runs
The record for the highest successful run chase in Test cricket belongs to the West Indies cricket team, who chased down 418 runs against Australia at St John’s in 2003. Led by Brian Lara’s magnificent 153, the Windies defied all odds to secure a stunning three wickets win against the Aussies.
2. South Africa vs Australia (Perth, 2008) – 414 runs
The team with the highest successful run chase in ODIs, also holds the record for the second highest successful run chase in Tests and that too against the same team. South Africa chased down the total of 414 runs against Australia in Perth, 2008, to win the game by 6 wickets. Graeme Smith (115) and Hashim Amla (103) were the backbone of Proteas during the chase.
3. India vs West Indies (Port of Spain, 1976) – 406 runs
India’s 406-run chase against the West Indies in Port of Spain, 1976, was a historical achievement, as they did it against one of the most dominant teams in the history of cricket.. Sunil Gavaskar’s 101 and Gundappa Viswanath’s 97 helped India secure a memorable win.
4. Australia vs England (Leeds, 1948) – 404 runs
While Australia often finds themselves on the receiving end of these historic chases, there was a moment where they were on the giving end when they beat England in a historic chase. Don Bradman’s unbeaten 270 was the highlight of Australia’s 404-run chase against England at Leeds in 1948. This innings cemented Bradman’s legendary status and to this date remains one of the greatest individual knocks in history of Test cricket.
5. West Indies vs Bangladesh (Chattogram, 2021) – 395 runs
The current West Indies team are nothing like what they used to be in Test cricket, but they tapped into their past in 2021 against Bangladesh to record another historic chase under their name. Kyle Mayers’ sensational double century helped the West Indies chase 395 runs against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
6. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Colombo, 2017)- 391 runs
Sri Lanka made their highest successful run chase and sixth highest overall, when they beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets while chasing 391 runs in their home Test at Colombo in 2017.
7. India vs England (Chennai, 2008) – 387 runs
Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten century and half-centuries from Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh in the fourth innings helped India chase 387 runs against England in Chennai, 2008. This was the second highest successful run chase in India at the time.
8. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele, 2015)- 382 runs
Pakistan recorded their highest successful run chase in Test cricket history when they chased down 382 runs target against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2015. Younus Khan 171 not-out was Pakistan’s star in the match.
9. England vs India (Birmingham, 2022) – 378 runs
10. Australia vs Pakistan (Hobart, 1999)- 369 runs
Australia’s 4 wickets win against Pakistan while chasing 369 runs at Hobart in 1999 is the tenth highest successful run chase in Test cricket overall. Justin Langer with 59 in first innings and 127 in second innings was Australia’s hero in the match.
First Published: Sep 21 2024 | 2:55 PM IST
