5 biggest opening Partnerships in Test history

Test cricket is a game of patience, skill, and determination. However, the Test matches cannot be won with the effort of any single individual. On that note, here’s a look at the five biggest opening partnerships in Test history.

5.  Bill Lawry and Reg Simpson (382 Runs)

It was the fourth Test match between West Indies and Australia way back in 1965 that saw some excellent batting performance from Bill Lawry and Reg Simpon. Both batters gave a strong start to their team as they put together 382 runs for the first wicket before Simpson was scalped by W Hall. However, both Simpson and Lawry scored a double century and put their team in a commanding position.

4. Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis (387 Runs)

New Zealand was taking on the West Indies in a Test and the opening duo of Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis put up a huge opening run partnership for the Blackcaps. Turner and Jarvis put on a record 387-run partnership for the opening wicket during the second inning of the match before Jarvis got out and the iconic partnership was broken.

3. Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid (410 Runs)

The first Test between India and Pakistan in Lahore during the 2006 series is etched in every Indian fan’s heart because of an excellent partnership between Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag for the opening wicket. Batting first, Pakistan scored a mammoth 679 in the first innings. However, the Indian side gave an epic reply to their arch-rivals as their opening duo of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid thrashed the Pakistani bowlers and stitched an excellent partnership of 410 runs.

2. Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy (413 Runs)

The prolific opening partnership between veteran Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy against the Kiwi side in 1956 is the second-highest first wicket partnership in Tests history. While Mankad scored 231 runs, Roy stroked 173 as India put on a massive 537 runs in the first innings. As a result, India comfortably won that match.

1. Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith (415 Runs)

South Africa duo of Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith holds the record for the highest opening partnership in Tests. Both batters stitched a 415-run partnership for the opening wicket against Bangladesh in 2008. Captain Smith amassed 232 runs off 277 balls, and McKenzie stroked 226 runs off 388 balls. As a result, South Africa comfortably managed to win that match and eventually win the series as well.