Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chase in Test Cricket

Chasing down a mammoth total in the fourth innings in the Test format is one of the most challenging jobs for any team. There are a lot of factors that deny the team batting 4th from chasing down the scores. One of the factors is the fifth-day pitch which is always tough to bat on. Also, the pressure is on the batting side. Test cricket is one format that requires immense patience. One session could easily change the situation of the match, and a collapse is always on the cards. Whenever a team manages to chase down huge scores in the 4th inning, it becomes always exciting. Let's have a look at the Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chase in Test Cricket.

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Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chase in Test Cricket

West Indies vs Bangladesh – 395/7 | 2021

This was the first Test of the two-match series this year at the Chattogram. The home side won the toss and elected to bat first. They used the home conditions' advantage to score a massive 430 on the board in their first innings on the back of a Mehidy Hasan century. West Indies, in reply, could get to only 259 on the board in their first innings, handing a lead of 171 runs. In their second innings, Bangladesh declared their innings, setting a target of 395 to win for the visitors.

West Indies scripted history as debutant Kyle Mayers scored a brilliant double-century and remained unbeaten at 210 to win the Test for West Indies with 3 wickets in hand. The other debutant Nkrumah Bonner also contributed alongside Kyle Mayers.

Australia vs England – 404/3 | 1948

This was the fourth Test of the five-match series in 1948 at Leeds, Headingley. England won the toss and chose to bat. England scored 496 in their first innings on an excellent batting wicket. In reply, the visitors scored 458 and went under 42 runs of deficit in their first innings. England, in their second innings, declared at 365 for the loss of 8 wickets, setting a target of 404 for Australia to win. The men in yellow stunned the home side with a phenomenal run chase.

Don Bradman and Arthur Morris scored big centuries, with the former playing a captain's knock of an unbeaten 173. As a result of the win by 7 wickets, Australia moved to a lead of 3-0 in the five-match series. This is also the 5th best 4th innings score on England soil.

India vs West Indies – 406/4 | 1976

This is one of India's most incredible ever wins in Test cricket in overseas conditions. The home side won the toss and chose to bat with the series hanging in the balance. However, West Indies managed to post 359 on the board in their first innings. In reply, India was bundled out for 228 in their first innings. In their second innings, West Indies declared at 271 for 6, setting up a target of 403.

India put a spirited effort in the final innings, with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar scoring a century. Gavaskar was always phenomenal during the 4th innings of a Test match, which shows his fighting spirit. He still ranks in the top 10 batsmen to score the most runs in the 4th innings with an average of 58.25. And, this record of Sunny bhai shows why he is one of the best when it comes to chasing in Test cricket.

However, it was Gundappa Viswanath's 115 and Mohinder Amarnath's 85 that took India closer to the total. Brijesh Patel stayed unbeaten on 49 as India won the Test by 6 wickets in hand and leveled the series 1-1.

South Africa vs Australia – 414/4 | 2008

This was the first Test of South Africa's three-match tour to Australia. The men in yellow won the toss and opted to bat at the Perth. Australia, with contributions from the lower order, finished with 375 in their first innings. South Africa was bowled out for 281 in their first innings, handing the hosts a lead of 94 runs. In reply, Australia got to 319 in their second innings and set a target of 414 for the visitors to chase down.

South Africa produced a top-class batting effort, with the captain Graeme Smith scoring a valiant century. Amla and Kallis got half-centuries while AB De Villiers and JP Duminy steered the Proteas home with an exemplary partnership. De Villiers ended up unbeaten on 106 as South Africa won the Test by 6 wickets. You can find the video of the chase here.

West Indies vs Australia – 418/7 | 2003

This was the final Test of the four-match series in the West Indies. The visitors, Australia, won the toss and elected to bat first. However, Australia couldn't get the big total and ended up getting 240 on the board. The hosts scraped through to Australia's score of 240 in their first innings, with the bat leveling the scores. In their second innings, Australia produced an excellent batting effort and set a record target of 418 on the board.

West Indies scripted a historic run chase when all odds were against them and reached the total with the help of two centurions. Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were the heroes for the hosts against a full-quality Australian bowling attack and won the Test by 3 wickets in the end. This is the highest successful run chase in test cricket history.

Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chase in Test Cricket