Highest aggregate for an England batter in Test defeat
The game of Test cricket often turns out to be an unforgiving sport for the batters as, despite some of their best efforts, they end up on the losing side. There have been numerous instances of a batter grabbing the headlines because of his prolific output in the game, still ending up on the losing side. While England’s Joe Root fell prey to a similar instance in one of the most thrilling Test matches ever played, we list the English batters with the highest aggregate in a Test defeat.
231 – Andrew Strauss vs India in 2008
England travelled to Chennai to take on India for the first Test match of the series. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in the series opener. The Three Lions got off to a solid start thanks to a 118-run opening stand between Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss. While Cook registered a valiant half-century, Strauss stole the show with a well compiled 123 in the first innings. The English opener grabbed another brilliant century in the third innings, thwarting a relentless Indian bowling attack. However, his twin centuries went in vain as the home side completed a remarkable chase in the fourth innings to draw first blood in the series.
248 – Joe Root vs New Zealand in 2023
New Zealand hosted Ben Stokes’ England in the second and final Test match of the series in Wellington after a comprehensive defeat in the series opener. The visitors batted first in the match and were off to a shaky start after losing three quick wickets. However, former England skipper Joe Root and Harry Brook compiled an astonishing stand for the fourth wicket to take them to a massive total. Root remained unbeaten after a breezy 153 runs. The Kiwi batters failed to pose a threat in the second innings and were forced to bat again after England enforced the follow-on. However, it turned out to be a nail-biting thriller after the visitors lost the game by just a solitary run despite Root’s brisk 95 in the fourth innings.
303 – Herbert Sutcliffe vs Australia in 1925
One of the all-time greats of English cricket, Herbert Sutcliffe, often played match-winning knock for his side. However, his two glittering centuries in a Test match went in vain when England met arch-rivals Australia in the second Test match in Melbourne. The hosts posed a daunting total of 600 runs in their first innings, but England gave a fitting reply with a sensational opening stand between Jack Hobbs and Sutcliffe. Both openers went on to register brilliant centuries, with Sutcliffe outscoring his partner after a knock of 176 runs. However, the tourists went on to lose the match by 81 runs, despite Sutcliffe’s dogged 127 in the fourth innings
