The oldest and longest type of International Cricket to exist is Test Cricket. The history of Test matches goes back to 1877. The first two teams which played a test match were England and Australia. This marks the beginning of the Test format in the history of Cricket.
Winning a test match is a great deal if we keep in mind the format of the game. The game demands strength and class and, hence requires the players to be consistent. And if the winning comes at a small margin of scores, it becomes even more exciting to watch.
Below are the top ten smallest margins of victory by runs in test cricket.
1. The West Indies Vs Australia
The West Indies faced Australia on January 23, 1993, in Adelaide. In this match, Australia scored 213 runs in the first innings and 184 runs in the second innings. The West Indies scored 252 runs in the first innings and 146 runs in the second and won the match by one run. Curtly Ambrose won the man of the match for taking ten wickets in the match.
2. Australia Vs England
This match happened on August 4, 2005, in Birmingham. England scored 407 runs in the first innings and 182 runs in the second innings, and Australia failed to chase the target and scored 308 runs in the first innings and 279 runs in the 2nd innings, losing the game by two runs. Andrew Flintoff was the player of the match
3. England Vs Australia
On July 24, 1902, the face-off between the rivals happened in Manchester. In which Australia won the match by three runs. They scored 299 runs and 86 runs in the respective innings. And England scored 262 runs in the first innings and 120 runs in the second innings. Hugh Trumble took ten wickets in the game.
4. England Vs Australia
The teams played the match on December 26th, 1982, in Melbourne. When Australia failed to chase the target, England was declared the winners by three runs. England scored 284 runs and 294 runs in the respective innings, and Australia scored 287 and 288 runs. Norman Cowans was awarded the man of the match award for taking eight wickets.
5. New Zealand Vs Pakistan
This match was played in Abu Dhabi on 16 Nov 2018. New Zealand scored 153 runs in the first innings and 249 runs in the second innings. Pakistan failed to chase that and scored 227 runs in the first innings and 171 runs in the 2nd innings & lost the match by 4 runs. Ajaz Patel won the Man of the Match for taking 7 wickets.
6. South Africa Vs Australia
South Africa faced Australia on 2 January 1994 in Sydney. South Africa won the match by 5 runs. South Africa scored 169 runs in the 1st innings and 239 runs in the second innings and Australia scored 292 runs in the first innings and 111 runs in the second innings. Fanie de Villiers was given the player of the match for taking 10 wickets.
7. South Africa Vs Sri Lanka
South Africa faced Sri Lanka in Kandy on 30 July 2000. South Africa scored 253 runs in the first innings and 231 runs in the second innings. Sri Lanka scored 308 runs in the first innings and 169 runs in the second innings. South Africa won the match by 7 runs. Despite losing Arjuna Ranatunga was the man of the match for scoring 54 and 88 runs.
8. New Zealand Vs Australia
Both the teams played each other on 9 December 2011 in Hobart. New Zealand scored 150 runs and 226 runs in the consecutive innings. Australia scored 136 runs in the first innings and 233 runs in the second innings. New Zealand won the match by 7 runs. David Warner was the player of the match for scoring 123 runs.
9. England Vs Australia
England played against Australia in Sydney on 14 December 1894. Australia scored 586 runs in the first innings and 166 runs in the second innings. England scored 325 runs in the first innings and 437 runs in the second and won the match by ten runs. Bobby Peel took eight wickets.
10. Australia Vs England
Australia faced England on 16 January 1925 in Adelaide. Australia played first and scored 489 runs in the first innings and 250 runs in the second. England scored 365 and 363 runs in the respective innings. Australia won the match by 11 runs. Jack Ryder scored 201 runs and 88 runs in the match.
