Introduction:
Personified for its stamina, endurance and strategizing capabilities, test cricket, as the title suggests, remains the ultimate test of both, skills and determination. During the years there were Test matches that it is impossible to forget, as the batsmen went to great extent in scoring. From high-scoring individual performances to staggering opening stands or other such unions, these memorable battles to scripting history have emerged from the dust. This article seek to provide the awaited top ten Test matches with record breaking scores.
1. England vs. Australia, The Oval, 1938 - 7,939 runs:
The third Test in the 1938 Ashes series which was also played between England and Australia at The Oval is one of the most memorable Test cricket match. This remains the only Test match to have produced 1,000 or more runs and was completed in just five days. Restricted to two innings a side because of rain, but England’s 7965/6d is the highest score in Test cricket yet. The interesting test series concluded in a tie, however Australia posted a mighty 2007/6d in it’s own bowling innings.
2. India vs. West Indies, Kolkata, 1974 - 1,106 runs:
The fifth Test cricket match of the India against the West Indies series in 1974-75 played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata is the most scoring Test match in the cricket history. The two legendary sides were in a contest face-off which went on and on and finally extended to six days with a run tally of 2,781. The game stretched to three innings from each side where India made 572/8d and 257/3, and West Indies 644/8d, 129/2, and 93/5 where West Indies won by 5 wickets.
3. West Indies vs. England, Port of Spain, 2009 - 1,019 runs:
The wind in the second Test of the 2009 series at the Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain stopped carrying second motions as the West Indies and England demolished the senses of the crowd for a 1,019 run feast. This was the first Test match for four centuries, Shivnarine Chanderpaul made his 25 hundreds, while Kumar Sangakkara and Kevin Pietersen both made 13 hundreds. Despite the 1-0 series lead for the Windies, this outstanding match was tied as England made 517 and 166/6; Windies: 574/9d and 147/3.
4. Australia vs. England, Melbourne, 1936-37 - 1,121 runs:
Played as ‘The Gentlemen’s Test’, the fourth Ashes Test of the 1936-37 saw a record breaking 1,121 run battle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Following is appointed to bat first and after coming up with a mammoth total of 601 for four declared in the first innings they went on to secure 371 for six in the second innings they played most of the cricket while overcoming the hosts. A signal of intent shown by England saw the team pile up a total of 455 and 121/2 as they fell to 8 wickets having performed extremely well.
5. India vs. New Zealand, Kolkata, 1999 - 1,149 runs:
Another match that can be placed in the list is the second cricket Test of the 1999-2000 series between India and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens. The match where both the team’s compiled 1,149 runs, one of century by Rahul Dravid and and a crucial, double hundred by the Kiwi, captain, Stephen Fleming. India won a historic victory by 217 runs, for which their first team scored 537/8d and the second team 198./4: New Zealand scored 664/4d in the first round and 110/3 in the second round.
6. South Africa vs. England, Port Elizabeth, 1888-89 - 1,208 runs:
To this date, the record of Test cricket’s highest winning margins remains in the pocket of the first Test match in South Africa between South Africa and England in the season 1888- 89 which was played at Port Elizabeth. England beat by innings & 202 runs after declaring them on 659/8 with 12 batsmen contributing 18 fifties & 2 centuries. This was also the record Test cricket partnership for the 6 th wicket between Andrew Stoddart and Bobby Abel of 311 runs.
7. India vs. Australia, Mumbai, 2008 - 1,234 runs:
The first Test match of the series in the 2008-09 Border-Gavaskar Trophy held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai showcased an incredible contest which may remain in the fan’s hearts for ages. India began to show their excellent batting by Tendulkar and Dravid and in reply Australia had Clarke and Ponting to counter their batting strength. The match ended in a win for India by 72 runs; India 469/4d & 281/3; Australians 580/6d & 216/4.
8. West Indies vs. England, Port of Spain, 1985 - 1,279 runs:
The West Indies and England contested in yet another great Test match at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain of the 1984-85 series. The Windies’ first innings total was 590 for 4 by declaration while in the second innings they bated at 346 for 7 and England toured at 473 for 9d and later in the second innings at 221 for 3 and thus the match was drawn. The most memorable first innings alliance between Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge is the world record for the 2nd wicket partnership in Test cricket – 246.
9. Australia vs. South Africa, Johannesburg, 2014 - 1,730 runs:
In an era where cricket was already becoming more and more boring, the 2014/15 scant series between Australia and South Africa also has an account in the list of unforgettable test cricket. The game-winner came down to a record-setting 1,730-run shootout between the two first-string batsmen before Australia regained their form to come out on top by 309 runs for victory against the hosts. The home side headed by Michael Clarke made 481/4d and 467/3 in their two innings and South Africans countered with 620/4d and 263/7.
10. England vs. New Zealand, Wellington, 2020 - 1,831 runs:
Like all other matches of the England team in 2019-20 it was marked by record breaking high scores and invincible efforts of the ground staff fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, the second Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington set records that were unprecedented. The game was a tied one with 1,831 runs being scored on the field with throw and 291 being set by England against New Zealand through the record breaking partnership of Dan Lawrence and Jack Leach the 10 ^{th} wicket that yielded 217 runs.
Conclusion:
Test cricket is a beautiful game, the only form of cricket that can create the miracle moments at any given time. The above listed record –breaking matches prove that these cricketing legends were talented, skilful and determined to perform to the best of their abilities. That is why Test cricket can in fact be timeless, because when players like the Great Unbreakable negate all that and write their own script, it is magical.
0 Comments