A massive score in an innings in a test match usually ends in only two ways. It will either be a draw or a victory for the team. However, in some exceptional cases, the team goes on to lose by an innings. It happens when the opponent scores a colossal total. We will now look at the highest team scores in a test in an innings defeat.
1. England (2016)
This game was the final test of the England tour of India. England’s miserable tour continued. They might have felt comfortable after scoring over 475 batting first. But a triple century from Karun Nair and an excellent bowling effort by Ravindra Jadeja in the game’s final session meant that England faced an innings defeat. England’s score in the first innings is the highest in a test as a part of an innings defeat. England scored 477 runs in this innings.
2. West Indies (2011)
In this game, West Indies faced India in India. West Indies bowled first, and conceded 631. Then they batted and got bowled out for 153. Following on, they batted better but couldn’t wipe off the deficit. West Indies scored 463 runs in this innings.
3. India (2010)
This game was a part of the India tour of South Africa. Batting first, India got shot out for just 136. Then, their bowling was also poor, conceding 620. Jacques Kallis scored a double hundred. India set out to bat again. Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th test century, and India crossed 450. However, India still ended up losing by an innings and 25 runs. India scored 459 runs in this innings.
4. Pakistan (2016)
This game was the 2016 Melbourne Boxing Day test. Australia hosted Pakistan. Pakistan batted first and made over 440 runs. However, in reply, Australia thrashed the Pakistani bowlers, scoring over 600, thanks to centuries from Steve Smith and David Warner. In the next innings, Pakistan got bowled out cheaply and faced an innings defeat. The highlight of the first innings from Pakistan was the double century from Azhar Ali. Pakistan scored 443 runs in this innings.
5. South Africa (2006)
This game saw the Sri Lankan batsmen Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara notch up a partnership of 624 runs. At the end of their innings, they had a lead of 587 over South Africa. South Africa batted again but couldn’t cross the deficit. South Africa scored 434 runs in this innings.
6. England (2001)
This game was the final test of the 2001 Ashes. Australia batted first and made 641. Then England scored over 400. After which, they followed on and got bowled out for 184, causing them an innings defeat. In England’s first innings, their batsman Mark Ramprakash scored a century. England scored 432 runs in this innings.
7. Bangladesh (2019)
New Zealand hosted Bangladesh in this test. Bangladesh batted first and scored 234. After this, New Zealand piled upon runs and made over 700. In Bangladesh’s next innings, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah had a partnership of 235 runs, with each getting to their respective centuries. Bangladesh scored 429 runs in this innings.
8. Australia (2009)
This game was the third and final test of the Australia tour of South Africa. Australia had already won the series by winning both the previous games. However, it was not to continue here. Australia got bowled out for 209 batting first. Then, they conceded 651 to South Africa as the team had three centurions. Australia batted again, and runs came from an unexpected corner, as Mitchell Johnson scored a century. However, it was insufficient, as Australia faced an innings defeat. Australia scored 422 runs in this innings.
9. England (2003)
This game was the Lord’s test in the South Africa tour of England. Batting first, England had a horrible outing. They got bowled out for just 173. What followed was a more enormous thrashing for them. The opener and young South African captain, Graeme Smith, thrashed the English bowlers. He made 259 and led South Africa to 682. England set out to bat again, and Andrew Flintoff scored a century. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to offset the deficit of 509 runs. England scored 417 runs in this innings.
10. Pakistan (2004)
This game was the first test in the India tour of Pakistan. Pakistan bowled first and conceded 675. The star performers of the Indian batting were Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Sehwag made a triple hundred and was nicknamed ‘Multan ka Sultan’ due to this innings. Tendulkar made 194. It was a surprise when the captain Rahul Dravid declared the innings with Tendulkar stranded at 194 not out. Pakistan scored over 400 but could not avoid following on. In the next innings, Pakistan got bowled out for 216, granting India an innings victory. Pakistan had no centurion in their first innings. However, they scored over 400 due to teamwork. Pakistan scored 407 runs in this innings.
