Despite the rise of limited-overs cricket in the last few decades, Test cricket remains the original and the toughest format. After five days of sheer hard work and commitment, there is still a possibility that a Test match can still end without a result. It has always been a challenge to chase a target, especially during the final day of the Test match.
However, there are some instances where the teams have pulled off some of the highest successful run chases in Test cricket throughout the years. In the following article, we will look at the top five Highest Successful Run chases in Test cricket.
Highest Successful Run Chases in Test Cricket
5. 395/7 by West Indies against Bangladesh in 2021
With the help of a match-winning double-hundred by Kyle Mayers in the second innings, West Indies pulled one of the highest successful run chases in Test cricket in a match against Bangladesh at Chattogram on 7th February 2021. After taking a lead of 171 runs in the first innings, Bangladesh declared their second innings for 223/8 with Mominul Haque top scoring with 115 runs, as the host set a target of 395 runs. Chasing a winning total, Windies didn’t have a great start as they lost their first three wickets for just 59 runs, before, Mayers took charge of the innings and scored an unbeaten 210 off 310 balls. With the help of his innings, West Indies chased the winning total losing seven wickets.
4. 404/3 by Australia against England in 1948
Australia pulled off this chase during a time when cricket wasn’t known to be a much-friendly game. In reply to England’s 496 runs in the first innings of a Test match at Leed in July 1948, Australia were bowled out for 458 runs giving the hosts a lead of 38 runs. After that, England declared their second innings at the score of 365 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, setting a target of 404 runs for Australia. In reply, Arthur Morris (182 runs) and Don Bradman (173* off 292) came up with match-winning tons as Australia chased the winning total easily losing just three wickets.
3. 406/4 by India against West Indies in 1976
This is the highest successful run chase in Test cricket for India which came against the mighty West Indies at Port of Spain on 7th April, 1976. With the help of Vivian Richards’ 177 runs and Michael Holding’s six-wicket haul West Indies took a lead of 131 runs in the first innings. After that, Alvin Kallicharran shone with a hundred in the second innings as the Windies declared their second innings at 271/6, giving India a target of 403 runs. Chasing a winning total, Sunil Gavaskar (102 runs) and Gundappa Viswanath (112 runs) were the heroes of the fourth innings as India chased the winning total with four wickets in hand.
2. 414/4 by South Africa against Australia in 2003
South Africa pulled off the second-highest run chase in Test cricket against Australia during a Test match at Perth on 21st December 2008. After taking a lead of 94 runs in the first innings, Australia bowled out 319 runs in the second innings but set a mammoth target of 414 runs for the Proteas. In reply, skipper Graeme Smith (10i8 off 147 runs) and Ab de Villiers (106 not out of 186 balls) turned out to be the heroes as South Africa successfully chased the winning total losing four wickets.
1. 418/7 by West Indies against Australia in 2003
The highest successful run chase in Test cricket belongs to West Indies who pulled off 418 runs against Australia at St. Johns on 13th May, 2003. Both Australia and West Indies were bowled out for a total of 240 runs and 240 runs in their first innings respectively. After that, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden ensured that Australia set a big total for the Windies by scoring tons, and the Aussies were bowled out on 417 runs in their second innings. After that, Ramnaresh Sarwan (105 off 139) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104 off 154) produced match-winning hundreds as West Indies chased the winning total with three wickets.