Five highest successful run chases in Test cricket

Test cricket has once again caught up the attention of cricket fans with some nail-biting finishes in the last few weeks. With some big scores being chased by India and West Indies in the fourth innings in recent times, Test cricket has truly come alive. Even the South African team looked set to chase a huge target of 370 runs in the Rawalpindi Test before they collapsed in no time.

In this article, we are going to list out the top 5 successful run chases in Test Cricket:

5. West Indies – 395/7 v Bangladesh, 2021

West Indies chased down a mammoth target of 395 runs against Bangladesh in the just-concluded Chattogram Test. They were helped by the debutant Kyle Mayers to achieve this massive feat, as he hit an incredible double century in the fourth innings of the match. Mayers scored 210* runs off 310 balls including 20 fours and 7 sixes.

4. Australia – 404/3 v England, 1948

Australia won against England very comfortably when they chased down a target of 404 runs in the fourth innings in the year 1948. Their opener Arthur Morris and legendary batsman Don Bradman scored centuries in the fourth innings to script the victory. Morris scored 182 runs while Bradman played an innings of 173 runs off 292 balls.

3. India – 406/4 v West Indies, 1976

India had chased a big target of 406 runs against the West Indies in the Port of Spain Test in the year 1976. Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar scored a century in the fourth innings, while Gundappa Viswanath too played an important role in the chase with his brilliant innings of 112 runs. This is still the biggest target chased down by India in Test cricket in the fourth innings.

2. South Africa – 414/4 v Australia, 2008

The South African team successfully chased down the target of 414 runs against Australia in the Perth Test, 2008. This is the second-highest chase in the fourth innings of Test cricket. They were helped by their captain Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers in the mighty chase as the duo hit excellent centuries. Smith hit 108 runs off 147 balls, while De Villiers played an unbeaten knock of 106 runs in 186 balls. Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, and JP Duminy also scored half-centuries to help the cause.  

1.West Indies – 418/7 v Australia, 2003

West Indies holds the world record for chasing down the highest total in the fourth innings of a Test match. They chased down 418 runs against Australia in the year 2003. Shivnarine Chandrapaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan scored centuries for them in this innings. Chandrapaul was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 104 runs off 154 balls.   

Highest run chases in Test cricket by India

Now, let’s talk about the highest successful chases by the Indian team in the fourth Innings. 

406/4 v West Indies, 1976

387/4 v England, 2008

329/7 v Australia, 2021

276/5 v West Indies, 2011

264/3 v Sri Lanka, 2001