Mountain of runs: Five highest team totals in Test cricket of all time
The history of Test cricket comprises 144 years. In these years, the skill of batting has travelled a long way. And yet, the propensity of piling up runs remains the same. There have been many team innings where the bowling sides had to grind for a long time on the dreaded 22 yards. Here are the five highest team totals of all time in Test cricket.
Pakistan 765/6 dec vs Sri Lanka, 2009
The Karachi Test of 2009 was not meant for the bowlers. Batting first, Sri Lanka raised a mountain of 644/7 dec in the first innings. In response, Pakistan did not have a great start. From 78/2, Younis Khan took over. The Pakistani legend smashed 313 while Kamran Akmal struck 158 while batting at number seven. Pakistan declared their innings but the match ended in a draw.
West Indies 790/3 dec vs Pakistan, 1958
Pakistani side felt satisfied with their first innings of 328. However, it was to prove of little value when the West Indies called off their stint. Opener Conrad Hunte (260) and Gary Sobers (365) added 446 runs for the second wicket. This was Sobers’ maiden Test century and he went on to establish the highest Test score of all time. West Indies won by an innings and 174 runs.
England 849 vs West Indies, 1930
England’s first innings in this Test match lasted for two and a half days. Opener Andy Sandham went on to score 329 runs. This was the first-ever triple century recorded in Test cricket. This was also Sandham’s last Test appearance. England wicketkeeper Les Ames supported him with 149. West Indies eventually saved the nine-day Test thanks to George Headley’s stoic 223.
England 903/7 dec vs Australia, 1938
The English team decided to give Don Bradman a dose of his own medicine. The Australian batting legend had to endure the pain of watching England bat and of an injury, he picked up when he came on to bowl. The Test belonged to Len Hutton. The English opener stacked 364 runs, a record which was later beaten by Sobers. Maurice Leyland (187) and Joe Hardstaff (169) contributed to the cause. With Bradman not batting, England snared a victory by an innings and 579-run margin.
Sri Lanka 952/6 dec vs India, 1997
A Test match every Indian cricket fan will like to forget. Batting first, India amassed 537/8 and promptly declared. India’s centurions included Navjot Sidhu, Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammed Azharuddin. India picked up an early wicket but Sanath Jayasuriya (340) and Roshan Mahanama (225) made them toil hard for the next two days. Later, Aravinda de Silva also brought up a ton. Sri Lanka eventually had enough and declared for 952 runs.
