Zimbabwe's journey in international cricket has been like a complete roller coaster. The team was among the most competitive teams in the 1990s and gradually lost its performance over the next 20 years. Recently, the team has again risen among the ranks, performing better and beating some of the top teams in the world. In this article, we shall mention Zimbabwe's top 10 highest Test match totals.
1. Against West Indies In 2001
The first match to appear on our list is from the 2001 West Indies tour of Zimbabwe. It was the second Test of the series, and after winning the toss, the West Indies put Zimbabwe into bat first. In the second innings, Zimbabwe scored their highest Test score of 563 runs in 167 overs. The match eventually ended in a draw.
2. Against Pakistan In 1995
Zimbabwe faced Pakistan in the first Test of the series in 1995 at Harare. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe elected to bat first and put up a mammoth 544 runs on the board. Grant Flower was the highest run scorer with 201 runs in 523 balls, and his brother Andy Flower scored 156 runs in 245 balls as well. In the end, Zimbabwe won the match by an inning and 64 runs.
3. Against Bangladesh In 2001
The next match to appear on the list is from the 2001 Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field first in the second Test of the series at Chattogram. Zimbabwe scored 542 runs at the loss of 7 wickets in their first innings, with Craig Wishart and Andy Flower scoring 114 runs.
4. Against West Indies In 2003
Zimbabwe scored another of their highest scores in Test cricket against the West Indies in 2003 at Harare. Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 507 runs in their first innings. Heath Streak top scored for Zimbabwe in the first innings, scoring 127 runs off 264 balls, and Andy Blignaut scored 91 runs as well.
5. Against India In 2000
In 2000, Zimbabwe toured India and scored one of their highest Test totals in the second Test of the series at Nagpur. India won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 609 runs in the first innings. In response, Zimbabwe scored 382 runs in their first innings and faced a follow-on. In their second innings, Zimbabwe scored 503 runs, which eventually helped them draw the match.
6. Against Sri Lanka In 1994
In the second Test match of the series against Sri Lanka at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe scored their sixth-highest Test total. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe put up 462 runs in their first innings at a loss of nine wickets. Dave Houghton scored a brilliant 264 runs off 541 balls that helped Zimbabwe put up such a huge score on the board.
7. Against New Zealand In 1997
Zimbabwe played New Zealand in the second Test of the series in 1997 at Bulawayo. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first and put up 461 runs on the board. Guy Whittall scored the most runs for Zimbabwe in the first innings with 203 runs off 359 balls. The match eventually ended in a draw.
8. Against Bangladesh In 2001
Zimbabwe was up against Bangladesh in the first Test of the series in 2001 at Bulawayo. Zimbabwe won the toss and put Bangladesh in to bat first. Bangladesh scored 257 runs in their first innings. In reply, Zimbabwe scored 457 runs in their first innings, with Guy Whittall scoring 119 runs. In the end, Zimbabwe won the Test match by an inning and 32 runs.
9. Against India In 1992
Zimbabwe played its first Test in 1992 against India in Harare. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 456 runs in their very first Test innings. Dave Houghton became Zimbabwe’s first Test centurion, scoring 121 runs off 322 balls. The match eventually ended in a draw.
10. Against Bangladesh In 2004
Zimbabwe played against Bangladesh in 2004 in the first Test of the series at Harare. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 441 runs in the first innings. Sean Ervine top scored for Zimbabwe in the first innings, scoring 86 runs off 197 balls. At the end, Zimbabwe won the match by 183 runs and took the lead in the 2-match series.
