Highest Innings totals in Test Cricket History: Since its introduction, test cricket has been the most challenging format. Even though T20 Cricket has been the most followed format since the last decade, the longer format continues to attract viewership. Test cricket has witnessed records being broken by batters and bowlers after every generation. In this piece, we discuss the five highest innings totals in test cricket history.
The totals mentioned in the list highlight the competitive nature of the longer format. Batting in test cricket is all about technique, skill and elegant stroke play and the teams that have created history by recording the highest totals in the red ball format have showcased these features. We go into the depth of this post by analyzing it in detail.
Table of Contents
Highest Innings totals in Test Cricket History
1. Sri Lanka (952/6 d vs India at Colombo RPS, Sri Lanka in August 1997)-
Replying to India’s 537/8 in the first innings, Sri Lanka took full advantage of the batting conditions at home by scoring 952/6. Opener Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 while Roshan Mahanama scored 225. Middle-order batter Aravinda De Silva scored 126.
The match ended in a draw as the match witnessed all sorts of records being broken. The batters especially the Sri Lankan batters demonstrated that to survive in test cricket one needs to showcase solid temperament and need to be technically robust.
2. England (903/7 d vs Australia at Oval, London, England in August 1938)-
England won the toss and chose to bat first. Opener Leonard Hutton scored 364 while Maurice Leyland scored 187. Joe Hardstaff scored an unbeaten 169 batting at no 7.
Australia were bowled out for 201 and 123 respectively in both their innings as England dominated the entire test match as the Three Lions won by an innings and 579 runs. The England batters showcased tremendous technique and strokeplay in difficult playing conditions.
3. England (849 all out vs West Indies at Kingston, West Indies in April 1930)-
England won the toss and chose to bat first. England batters read the wicket well and were spot on as far as their shot selection was concerned. England scored 849 in their first innings as opener Andy Sandham scored 325 while Les Ames scored 149.
Although the match ended in a draw England’s batters played some wonderful shots and showcased solid defensive technique on a bouncy wicket that was difficult to bat initially.
4. West Indies (790/3 d vs Pakistan at Kingston, West Indies -March 1958)-
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. They were bowled out for 328. West Indies scored 790/3 in their first innings as Gary Sobers scored an unbeaten 365 while opener Conrad Hunte scored 260. Pakistan were allowed to follow on but they were bowled out for 288.
West Indies won by an innings and 174 runs. West Indies batters dominated the entire match with some elegant and effortless strokeplay. Whether it was handling the uneven bounce, driving the ball or cutting the ball West Indian batters smashed the Pakistan attack.
5. England (823/7 vs Pakistan at Multan, Pakistan-October 2024)-
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first as they were bowled out for 556. England scored 823/7 with Harry Brook and Joe Root scoring 317 and 262.
Pakistan were allowed to follow on but were bowled out for 220 as England registered a win by an inning and 47 runs. England batters read the conditions well and built the innings after every session.
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