With several spectacular records in the last four days, test cricket has once again captured the interest of cricket fans. Test cricket has been incredibly exciting as India and England chase some massive totals in the currently playing rescheduled fifth test match at Edgbaston. Let us look at the top five highest successful run chases in the history of Test cricket.
West Indies v Australia – 2003 – 418/7
For chasing down the highest total in a Test match’s fourth innings, West Indies owns the world record. Australia, led by Steve Waugh, was in dominance, leading the series 3-0 and giving the home team a massive 418 runs to win. But Brian Lara started the chase with a fantastic 60 in a frantic match that saw several harsh incidents. Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul both scored outstanding century, putting their teams in a strong position going into the fifth day. The West Indies then completed what is still the best run chase in Test cricket history, finishing on 418/7 after Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes scored runs on the last day.
South Africa v Australia – 2008 – 414/4
The South African squad defeated Australia in the 2008 Perth Test by successfully chasing down the 414-run total. In the fourth Test innings, this is the second-highest chase. They were assisted in the tremendous chase by their captain Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers, who both scored outstanding hundreds.
De Villiers entered the field with South Africa still needing 235 runs to win, but with the help of Jean-Paul Duminy, he was able to control his aggressive tendencies for lengthy stretches as the visitors seized a 1-0 series lead.
De Villiers performed an undefeated innings of 106 runs in 186 balls, while Smith scored 108 runs off 147 balls. JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, and Hashim Amla all contributed half century to the effort.
India v West Indies – 1976 – 406/4
In the 1976 Port of Spain Test, India faced a daunting target of 406 runs from the West Indies. In the fourth innings, Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar struck a century, while Gundappa Viswanath, who had an outstanding performance of 112 runs, also significantly contributed to the chase. India still holds the record for the largest target defended in a Test cricket fourth innings.
Australia v England – 1948 – 404/3
When Australia defeated England in 1948, they did it with ease after setting a 404-run fourth innings total.
In a high-scoring Test at Headingley that saw the tourists go up 3-0 and win the Ashes, the legendary Don Bradman scored an undefeated 173 runs.
Australia easily won the race, closing on 404/3 thanks to a 301-run second-wicket stand between Bradman and Arthur Morris (182).
West Indies v Bangladesh – 2021 – 395/7
In the just finished Chattogram Test against Bangladesh, West Indies successfully overcame a lofty 395 run mark. In the fourth innings of the game, Kyle Mayers, a youngster, struck an astounding double century, which greatly assisted them in accomplishing this incredible feat. Mayers hit 20 fours and seven sixes in his 210* runs off 310 balls.
After the tourists faltered to 59/3, Nkrumah Bonner (86) and a partnership of 216 for the fourth wicket broke the back of the attack.
Mayers became just the sixth player to score a double-ton on their Test debut, and the score is the highest successful chase ever recorded in Asian conditions.
