Test Cricket is known as the purest form of cricket. It’s a saying that if someone enjoys Test Cricket, he’s a real cricket fan. There have been some jaw-dropping moments in test cricket where people could not take their eye off the action on their television. In this 5-day game format, there have been some miraculous chases while batting second, which shocked many of us cricket lovers. Let us look at the top 10 highest run chases in Test Cricket.
1. Australia VS Pakistan, 1999
On 9th September 1999, Australia chased a target of 369 against Pakistan at the Bellerive Oval Stadium, Hobart. Pakistan had posted a target of 369 for the home side with the help of the century (118) from Inzamam-ul-Haq and a valuable 82 from Ijaz Ahmed. In its response, the Australian team did not have a great start by losing their top order for cheap, but Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist scored a century each and took Australia to a 4-wicket victory.
2. Pakistan VS Sri Lanka, 2015
On 3rd July 2015, Pakistan chased a target of 377 against Sri Lanka at the Pallekale International Cricket Stadium, Pallekale. Sri Lanka had posted a target of 377 for the visitors with the help of the century (122) from Angelo Mathews and a valuable 67 from Dinesh Chandimal. In its response, Pakistan put a dominant performance with Younis Khan (171) and Shan Masood (125) hitting centuries. Pakistan won the game comfortably by seven wickets.
3. England VS India, 2022
On 1st July 2022, England chased a target of 378 against India at Edgbaston, Birmingham. India had put a target of 377, thanks to the 1st Innings heroics of Rishabh Pant (146) and Ravindra Jadeja (104). In its response, England never gave India a chance, and with not-out centuries from Joe Root (142) and Johny Bairstow (114), England cruised to an easy 7-wicket win.
4. India VS England, 2008
On 11th December 2008, India chased a target of 387 against England at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai. England had put a target of 387, thanks to centuries from Andrew Strauss (108) and Paul Collingwood (108). In its response, India went off to a great start with both Indian openers registering half-centuries. Sachin Tendulkar (103*) and Yuvraj Singh (85*) completed a famous 6-wicket victory for India.
5. Sri Lanka VS Zimbabwe, 2017
On 14th July 2017, Sri Lanka chased a target of 388 against Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Zimbabwe had set a target of 388, thanks to the 160 run innings from Craig Ervine. In its response, Sri Lanka chased the target with significant contributions coming from Kusal Mendis (66), Niroshan Dickwella (81), and Asela Gunaratne (80*) to get them the victory with four wickets remaining.
6. West Indies VS Bangladesh, 2021
On 3rd February 2021, West Indies chased a target of 395 against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong. Bangladesh had set a target of 395 thanks to the century of Mominul Haque (115) and a valuable 69 from Liton Das. In its response, West Indies were not off to a great start, but a Kyle Mayers double century (210*) and a valuable 86 from Nkrumah Bonner sealed a 3-wicket victory for West Indies.
7. India VS West Indies, 1976
On 7th April 1976, India chased a target of 403 against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad. West Indies had set a target of 403 thanks to the innings from Viv Richards (177) and Alvin Kallicharran (103). In its response, India gave a great fight with help from Sunil Gavaskar (102), Gundappa Vishwanath (112), and Mohinder Amarnath (85) and won the match comfortably by six wickets.
8. Australia VS England, 1948
On 22nd July 1948, Australia chased a target of 404 against England at the Headingley, Leeds. England had set a target of 404 thanks to the innings of Sir Leonard Hutton (81), Cyril Washbrook (143), and Bill Edrich (111). In its response, Australia showed dominance, with Arthur Morris (182) and Sir Donald Bradman (173*) hitting centuries and leading Australia to an easy 7-wicket victory. This victory gave them a 3-0 lead in the ongoing Ashes series.
9. South Africa VS Australia, 2008
On 17th December 2008, South Africa chased a target of 414 against Australia at the WACA Ground, Perth. Australia had set a target of 414 thanks to the innings from Simon Katich (83), Michael Clarke (62), Andrew Symonds (57) and Brad Haddin (94). In its response, South Africa showed resilience and persistence, with centuries coming from Graeme Smith (108) and AB De Villiers (106). Hashim Amla (53), Jacques Kallis (57), and JP Duminy (50) also played important innings to take South Africa over the line. South Africa won by six wickets.
10. West Indies VS Australia, 2003
On 9th May 2003, West Indies chased a target of 418 against Australia at the Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John’s Antigua. Australia had set a target of 418 thanks to innings from the openers Justin Langer (117) and Matthew Hayden (177). In its response, West Indies did not get off to a good start. They lost their top-order players for cheap, and only Brian Lara (60) stood his ground. The match turned with the much-needed partnership of Ramnaresh Sarwan (105) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104). Omari Banks (47*) and Vasbert Drakes (27*) took the West Indies over the line and created history. It was a 3-wicket win for West Indies and still the best run chase In Test Cricket History.
