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Record-Breaking: Highest Test Score in Cricket

By Shubham Saxena March 20, 2023

Highest Test Score by Team

Whenever the subject of the highest test score by the team, Indian supporters recoil as sad memories of the past return. India is the only team with more experience getting Marathon Maulings in the most extended format of the game. India has scored over 700 runs in innings four times, but they have allowed it thrice. Here, we examine the top seven highest Test cricket team totals. 

7. India 759/7d vs. England (2016) 

Both teams amassed massive totals during the four-match series during the 2016-17 England tour to India. Moeen Ali's 146 and fifties from Joe Root, Liam Dawson, and Adil Rashid helped England total 477 in the first innings of the fourth match of the series.

In response, India scored 759/7 in their first innings. Karun Nair became the second Indian player to score a triple century in Test cricket during this match. Nair struck an undefeated 303, while KL Rahul fell one run short of a much-deserved double century.

Ravindra Jadeja's seven wickets in the English third innings helped India to a comfortable victory against England by innings and 75 runs. 

6. Sri Lanka 760/7d vs India (2009) 

The sixth-highest total in test history was Sri Lanka's 760/7 declared innings against India in 2009. In Bombay, India's Brabourne Stadium, the game was played.

Mahela Jayawardene, who led Sri Lanka, hit an unbroken 275 runs in the innings. Thilan Samaraweera (231 runs), Tillakaratne Dilshan (109 runs), and Prasanna Jayawardene all made significant contributions (43 runs).

In response, India scored 726 and 309/5 in their two innings, resulting in a tie. Sri Lanka's innings were a remarkable batting show, as they batted for more than two days to amass a massive score.

Mahela Jayawardene's double century was the highlight of the innings, as he got his runs off only 435 balls by hitting 27 fours and 1 six. He batted for more than 11 hours, and his 351-run partnership with Thilan Samaraweera set a new Test cricket record for the fourth wicket. Thilan Samaraweera also batted beautifully, and his double century helped Sri Lanka create their enormous score.

Sri Lanka's innings also included several other noteworthy performances. Tillakaratne Dilshan struck a century, while Prasanna Jayawardene also batted brilliantly, allowing Sri Lanka to declare at 760/7. India's bowlers responded little to Sri Lanka's batting outburst as they battled to take wickets and labored in the field for over two days.

Overall, Sri Lanka's innings of 760/7 declared against India in 2009 is an excellent achievement in Test cricket history. It is a tribute to the team's batting talent and resolve and will go down as one of the most excellent batting performances in the game's history. The combination between Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera is considered one of the finest in Test cricket history. Mahela Jayawardene's double century is regarded as one of the most remarkable innings ever played in Test cricket. 

5. Pakistan 765/6d vs Sri Lanka (2009) 

The fifth-highest team score in Test cricket history was Pakistan's declared innings of 765/6 against Sri Lanka in 2009. The game was held in Karachi, Pakistan's National Stadium.

Younis Khan, who led Pakistan, hit an undefeated 313 runs in the innings. Additional significant performances came from opener Khurram Manzoor (93 runs), middle-order batters Mohammad Yousuf (90 runs), and lower-order batsman Shoaib Malik (68 runs).

Sri Lanka responded by scoring 233 and 391 in their two innings, and Pakistan won the match by innings and 234 runs. Pakistan's innings were a stunning show of batting, as they batted for more than two days to amass a monstrous score.

The highlight of the innings was Younis Khan's triple century, which he achieved by hitting 27 fours and four sixes off only 545 balls. He batted for over 12 hours, a world record for the longest innings. Khurram Manzoor and Mohammad Yousuf also performed well with the bat, and their efforts helped Pakistan amass a big score.

Pakistan's innings also included several other noteworthy performances. Misbah-ul-Haq hit an undefeated 68 runs, while the lower-order batters also helped with the bat. Sri Lanka's bowlers responded little to Pakistan's batting outburst as they battled to take wickets and labored in the field for over two days.

Overall, Pakistan's Test cricket record-breaking innings of 765/6 against Sri Lanka in 2009 is impressive. It is a tribute to the team's batting talent and resolve and will go down as one of the most excellent batting performances in the game's history. Younis Khan's triple century is recognized as one of the best innings ever played in Test cricket.

4. West Indies 790/3d vs. Pakistan (1958) 

In Test cricket history, the West Indies' 1958 declaration of 790/3 is the fourth-highest team score. The game was placed at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Garry Sobers, who led the West Indies, scored an unbroken 365 runs in the innings. This was the highest individual score in Test cricket then, and it stayed so for more than 35 years when Brian Lara broke it. Conrad Hunte (260 runs) and Rohan Kanhai also made noteworthy contributions (256 runs).

Pakistan responded with 328 and 205 in their two innings, and West Indies won the match by innings and 257 runs, the third-largest margin of victory in Test cricket history.

Garry Sobers' triple century was the highlight of the innings, as he got his runs off only 566 balls by hitting 38 fours and 4 sixes. He batted for over 12 hours, a world record for the longest innings. Conrad Hunte and Rohan Kanhai also batted very well, and their performances helped the West Indies amass their enormous score.

The West Indies' innings also included several other noteworthy performances. Joe Solomon hit an undefeated 65 runs, while the West Indies' tailenders also helped with the bat. Pakistan's bowlers had little response to the West Indies' batting performance as they battled to take wickets and labored in the field for more than two days.

Overall, the West Indies innings of 790/3 declared against Pakistan in 1958 is noteworthy in Test cricket history. It is a tribute to the team's batting talent and resolve and will go down as one of the most excellent batting performances in the game's history. Garry Sobers' triple century is considered one of the best Test performances ever played. 

3. England 849 vs. West Indies (1930)

The third-highest Test cricket team score is England's 849-run performance against the West Indies in 1930. Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, hosted the game.

Walter Hammond led England with 251 runs scored in the innings. Les Ames (149 runs) and Percy Holmes contributed significantly (105 runs).

West Indies responded by scoring 286 and 408 in their two innings, and England won the match by innings and 71 runs. England's innings were a remarkable exhibition of batsmanship, as they batted for over two days to amass a massive score.

The highlight of the innings was Walter Hammond's double century, in which he earned his runs off just 429 balls and smashed 34 fours. He batted for over 10 hours, a world record for the longest innings. Les Ames and Percy Holmes batted very well, and their efforts aided England in accumulating a big total.

There were several more noteworthy performances throughout England's innings. England's tailenders also contributed with the bat, with Maurice Leyland scoring 106 runs. West Indies bowlers had little response to England's batting outburst, as they failed to take wickets and spent more than two days on the field.

Overall, England's innings of 849 against the West Indies in 1930 is an excellent achievement in Test cricket history. It is a tribute to the team's batting talent and resolves and will go down as one of the most excellent batting performances in the game's history.

2. England 903/7d vs. Australia (1938)

The second-highest team score in Test cricket history was England's declared innings of 903/7 against Australia in 1938. The match was contested at The Oval in London, England, and was known as the "Coronation Test" since it commemorated King George VI's coronation.

Len Hutton led England with 364 runs scored in the innings. This was the highest individual score in Test cricket then, and it stayed so for over twenty years when Garfield Sobers shattered the record. Maurice Leyland (187 runs) and Cyril Washbrook contributed significantly (143 runs).

Australia responded with scores of 201 and 123 in their two innings, and England triumphed by innings and 579 runs, the most significant margin of victory in Test cricket history. England's innings were a remarkable exhibition of batsmanship, as they batted for over two days to amass a massive score.

Len Hutton's triple century was the highlight of the innings, as he collected his runs off only 847 balls and smashed 35 fours. Moreover, Maurice Leyland and Cyril Washbrook batted well, and their efforts helped England amass a big score.

More outstanding performances occurred throughout England's innings. Wally Hammond and Joe Hardstaff each scored fifty runs, while the tailenders for England also contributed with the bat. Australia's bowlers had little response to England's batting performance, as they failed to take wickets and spent more than two days on the field.

Overall, England's innings of 903/7 declared against Australia in 1938 is an excellent performance in Test cricket history. It is a tribute to the team's batting talent and resolves and will go down as one of the most excellent batting performances in the game's history. 

1. Sri Lanka 952/6d vs India (1997) 

The highest team score in Test cricket history was Sri Lanka's declared innings of 952/6 against India in 1997. The match was contested at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo. Sanath Jayasuriya led Sri Lanka with a triple century (340 runs) in the innings. Roshan Mahanama (225 runs) and Hashan Tillakaratne made more essential contributions (115 runs).

Sri Lanka's innings were a spectacular show of batting, as they batted for more than two days to amass a massive score. In response, India scored 537 runs in their first innings, with Sachin Tendulkar reaching a double century (203 runs). Nonetheless, Sri Lanka went on to win the match by an inning and 77 runs.

The highlight of the innings was Sanath Jayasuriya's triple century, in which he got off only 578 balls with 36 fours and 2 sixes. This was the highest individual score in Test cricket then and is still considered one of the finest innings in the game's history. Roshan Mahanama's 225 was also a magnificent performance, as he batted for more than ten hours to assist Sri Lanka in amassing their enormous score.

Sri Lanka's innings also included several other noteworthy performances. Hashan Tillakaratne scored 115 runs, while Arjuna Ranatunga and Romesh Kaluwitharana each scored fifty. While they battled on the field for over two days, the Indian bowlers could not match Sri Lanka's batting effort.

Sri Lanka's declared score of 952/6 against India in 1997 is an excellent achievement in Test cricket history. It is a tribute to the team's batting talent and resolves and will go down as one of the most excellent batting performances in the game's history.

These are the top 7 scores in test cricket. If you are also interested in fantasy cricket, download the First Games app powered by Paytm and start playing.

FAQ’s

  • In Test cricket, what is the highest team score? Arrow
    Sri Lanka claimed a score of 952/6 against India in 1997 to be the highest team score in Test cricket.
  • In Test innings, who had the highest score by an individual? Arrow
    Brian Lara of the West Indies scored 400 not out in a Test inning against England in 2004.
  • While playing Test cricket, how often has a team scored more than 700 runs in an inning? Arrow
    14 times in Test cricket history, a Team has scored more than 700 runs in an inning.
  • Which team has amassed the most 700+ scores in Test cricket? Arrow
    With six innings of 700+ runs, Australia holds the record for the most 700+ scores in Test cricket.
  • In Test cricket, who has the highest team score against Australia? Arrow
    With a score of 903/7 declared at The Oval in 1938, England retains the highest team score against Australia in Test cricket.

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