It doesn’t get any tougher than batting in the 4th innings in England, and most of the teams have found it very difficult to cope up with the 4th innings pitch. There are chances of the pitch getting deteriorated and cracking up. The seam bowlers get more purchase from the wicket as well, and they become more potent. Many times, the side batting on the final innings succumbed to a collapse very early.
With a note on that, here are the top 10 highest 4th innings total in England in Tests.
#10 India 376 vs England – Old Trafford, 1959
In the 4th Test in the tour of England, India managed to script a valiant effort in the huge run chase in the fourth innings. England batted first at Old Trafford and scored 490 in the first innings. In reply, India could muster just 208 in their first innings, giving England a stiff hold of the game. In the third innings, England batted superbly again and set up a humongous target of 548 for the Indian team. It looked nearly impossible; however, India tried their best, scoring 376 in the fourth innings. As a result, England won the Test and dominated the series with a lead of 4-0 already in the five-match Tests.
#9 England 378 vs India – Edgbaston, 2022
The term “Bazzball” is introduced in this period. Even though teams have started adapting to the modern way of Test cricket to go for the win in the last innings of a Test match rather than settling for a draw, England, under their new coach Brandon McCullum is very much ahead of others. They went for the kill right from the start and didn’t bow out when wickets started falling. They looked like a different team in Test match chases.
While India was ahead in the first four days of the Birmingham Test (the match was rescheduled due to Covid issues), England completely ruled the last innings. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root made centuries and extended the worthy start their openers (Alex Lees and Zak Crawley) provided to a fantastic win over the visitors to draw the series 2-2.
#8 West Indies 394 vs England – Old Trafford, 2007
In the 2007 tour of England, West Indies put up a spirited effort intending to draw the series in their last innings. It started with England winning the toss and electing to bat first. England scored 370 in their first innings, which was a good total at Old Trafford. In reply, West Indies scored just 229 in their first innings, giving 141 runs lead to England. The big lead ensured that England set up a big total to chase down for the West Indies. With a target of 455 to chase down, The West Indies almost crossed the line and eventually were heartbroken to lose the Test by 60 runs. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, one of the top 10 overseas batsmen to play in England, stayed unbeaten at 116 in the losing chase. Monty Panesar was adjudged the man of the match for his 10 wicket haul in the Test.
#7 India 397 vs England – Lords, 2002
This Test will be remembered for Ajit Agarkar, who brought up his only international century against England at Lords. England won the toss and opted to bat first. They started the series well, scoring 487 in their first innings. In reply, India scored just 221 runs and struggled to get going. England used the opportunity and set up a massive total of 568 to chase down. However, India did get into the act with 397 in their final innings, and Agarkar proved his all-around abilities in the Test, staying unbeaten on 109. Nasser Hussain was adjudged the man of the match for a century in the first innings.
#6 Australia 402 vs England – Old Trafford, 1981
This was the fifth Test in the six-match Test tour in 1981 for Australia to England, and they did impress with an excellent fight in the fourth innings. England opted to bat first after winning the toss at Old Trafford. The hosts were bundled out for 231 in the first innings by Australia. However, Australia couldn’t take advantage and managed just 130 in their first innings. With a lead of 101 runs, England set Australia a target of 506 in the fourth innings. Australia came close with 402 in their final innings but lost the Test by 203 runs.
#5 Australia 404 vs England – Headingley, 1948
A high-scoring game in the 4th Test in 1948 tour of England, Australia staged a terrific 4th innings chase. England started with 496 on the board in their first innings. In reply, Australia did come close and finished with 458. In their third innings, England declared, setting a total of 404 to win for the visitors. Australia remarked an unbelievable chase and won the Test by 7 wickets. Don Bradman and Arthur Morris top-scored for Australia in the 404-runs chase, which still stands as the highest ever successful 4th innings chase in England soil.
#4 Australia 406 vs England – Lords, 2009
In the 2009 Ashes, Australia did show up their toughness in the 4th innings. England posted 425 on the board in their first innings at Lord’s in the 2nd Test. In reply, Australia succumbed to a 210 run deficit in their first innings. In their third innings, England declared at 311 for six with a total of 522 to chase down for Australia. The visitors made an excellent effort to get to 406 but lost the Test by 115 runs. Andrew Flintoff was named the man of the match.
#3 South Africa 423 vs England – Kennington Oval, 1947
South Africa came so close to making history in the 1947 tour to England in the Oval Test in 1947. England scored 427 on the board in their first innings and looked solid. The proteas, in reply, scored 302 and handed a lead of 125 to the hosts. England, in their third innings, declared at 325 for the loss of 6 wickets ask South Africa to chase 451. The Spirited South Africa side almost pulled off a stunning win with 423 for the loss of 7 wickets in their 4th innings. The Test was drawn at the end.
#2 India 429 vs England – Kennington Oval, 1979
In the 1979 tour of England, India registered their highest fourth-innings total in the country. England batted first and scored 305 in their first innings. In reply, India surrendered for just 202 runs in their first innings. However, England showed their class in the third innings declaring at 334 for the loss of 8 wickets. India needed just nine runs for a famous win with two wickets remaining, but the match was drawn in the end. Sunil Gavaskar’s double century led the way for India.
#1 New Zealand 440 vs England – Trent Bridge, 1973
This was one of the most memorable Tests between the two nations as New Zealand registered the highest 4th innings in England. It was one of the best comebacks possible from the Kiwis side after getting hammered in the first innings for just 97 runs. England had a lead of 153 runs in the first innings, and they set a target of 479 to win. New Zealand ended losing the Test by just 38 runs in the end but won the hearts.
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