Test cricket is the longest and oldest format of cricket. A test match consists of 5 days and 90 overs are bowled each day. Test cricket is also known for its slow batting and high scores. There have been several instances where a team has scored a huge total in test cricket. In most of them, it helped them win the match. In this article, we are going to look at the top 10 highest total that has ever been made in international test matches.
1. West Indies – 751/5d
West Indies stands at 10th position in this list. This score came against England on April 10-14, 2004. This game also saw the highest score ever by an individual in test cricket, 400*, by Brian Lara. West Indies batted first and made 751 runs with the help of Brian Lara and Ridley Jacobs. England made just 285 runs and was given a follow-on. In their second innings, England managed to draw the match by scoring 422/5.
2. Sri Lanka – 756/5d
This match was played on July 27-31, 2006, when South Africa was touring Sri Lanka. South Africa played 1st innings and was all-out for 169 runs. Sri Lanka then scored a total of 756 runs declared the innings, with the help of 287 runs from Kumar Sangakkara and 374 runs from Mahela Jayawardene. South Africa was then bowled out again in their second innings at a total of 434 runs. Muthiah Muralidaran took 10 wickets in the game.
3. Australia – 758/8d
This score is also the highest score by Australia in test matches. Australia played against West Indies on June 11-17, 1995. West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first, and got all out for 357 runs. Australia then took charge of the match and scored 758 runs, with a double century of Neil Harvey. West Indies was then again bowled out for 319 runs, and Australia won this match by an inning and 82 runs.
4. India – 759/7d
When England came to play India in Chennai, on December 16-20, 2016, India scored their highest total in test cricket history. England scored 477 runs in their first innings, with the century of Moeen Ali. Karun Nair scored his first triple-century and second for his nation. KL Rahul was unfortunate as he missed his double century by just 1 run. In the second innings, England scored 207/10. Ravindra Jadeja took a total of 10 wickets in the game and India won the match.
5. Sri Lanka – 760/7d
This match was played between India and Sri Lanka on November 16-20, 2009. India batted first and scored 426 runs with the centuries of Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni. However, when Sri Lanka came to bat, they amazed everyone by scoring 760 runs with a double century of Mahela Jayawardene. India was able to draw the game by scoring 412/4.
6. Pakistan – 765/6d
In this match, Sri Lanka came to bat first and scored a huge total of 644 runs, with two double centuries. Pakistan then answered this total by scoring their highest in test cricket, 765 runs. Younis Khan took this opportunity and scored a triple century and helped Pakistan. However, in the third innings, Sri Lanka scored 144/5 and the match was drawn.
7. West Indies – 790/3d
This match was played between Pakistan and West Indies. Pakistan was batting first and scored 328 runs. In their batting, West Indies scored a massive total of 790 runs with a triple century of Garry Sobers. West Indies declared their innings and Pakistan was bowled out for 288 runs in their second innings. West Indies won this match by an innings and 174 runs.
8. England – 849
England played this match against West Indies on April 3-12, 1930. England scored 849 runs in their first innings, with 325 runs from Andy Sandham. West Indies then scored just 286 runs in 111 overs and was behind by 560 runs, and they were given the target of 836 after England’s second innings. West Indies scored 408/5 in the fourth innings and the match was drawn.
9. England – 903/7d
England comes again in this list by having a massive total of 903 runs against Australia in 1938. In this match, England batted first and scored the record-highest total in the test, 903. Leonard Hutton of England scored 364 runs in the first innings. In their batting, Australia made just 201 runs and was given a follow-on. Australia didn’t score well either in follow-on and made just 123 runs. England won this match by a inning and 579 runs.
10. Sri Lanka – 952/6d
This total by Sri Lanka came after their 1996, and they were impossible to win against. In this match, India batted first and scored 537 runs with three centurions. However, Sri Lanka broke team India’s thoughts of winnings by scoring a monster total of 952 runs. Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 340 runs, and Roshan Mahanama scored 225 runs. Although scoring such a high total, this match was drawn.
