A batter puts in a lot of effort to get that elusive big score, more so in Test cricket where the runs are hard to come by. But sometimes the hard work is undone when things don’t fall in place for the team.
Despite the mighty efforts from batters, there have been several instances when teams couldn’t win matches. It’s a disappointing feeling that many batters have endured as their batting brilliance couldn’t save their team from defeat.
On that note, here are the top 10 highest individual scores in losing causes in Test cricket.
Highest Individual Scores in Losing Cause in Tests
| Player | Runs (Balls) | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 242 (352) | India | Adelaide | 2003 |
| Brian Lara (WI) | 226 (298) | Australia | Adelaide | 2005 |
| Nathan Astle (NZ) | 222 (168) | England | Christchurch | 2002 |
| Brian Lara (WI) | 221 (354) | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 2001 |
| Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 217 (276) | New Zealand | Wellington | 2017 |
| Victor Trumper (AUS) | 214* (247) | South Africa | Adelaide | 1911 |
| Graeme Pollock (SA) | 209 (-) | Australia | Cape Town | 1966 |
| Paul Collingwood (ENG) | 206 (392) | Australia | Adelaide | 2006 |
| Azhar Ali (PAK) | 205* (364) | Australia | Melbourne | 2016 |
| Neil Harvey (AUS) | 205 (-) | South Africa | Melbourne | 1953 |
Key Insights
242: Ricky Ponting holds the unwanted record for registering the highest score in a losing cause by a batter in Test cricket. His 242 off 352 ended up in a defeat as India won the 2003 Adelaide Test by four wickets.
16: The number of batters who have scored Test double centuries in losses. Among them, Brian Lara is the only batter to score three 200-plus knocks in losing causes, with all of them coming in away Tests. The number rises to 14 if we consider 100-plus knocks, which is the most Test hundreds by any batter in defeats.
5316: Lara also accumulated the second-most runs in Test defeats faced by the West Indies. He scored 5316 runs, with his fellow partner Shivnarine Chanderpaul (5370) topping the chart.
1: Sydney Gregory was the first batter to score a Test double hundred in a losing cause. In the 1894 SCG Test against England, the Australian batter racked up 201 runs, helping the team post 586 runs. The hosts wrapped up England twice on 325 and 437 and looked set to chase the 177-run target. But Australia messed up the chase, as England won the Test by 10 runs. This was the first instance of a team winning a Test after being asked to follow on.
153: Nathan Astle, who is third on the list with a 222-run knock, reached the 200 mark in just 153 balls, making him the fastest to a Test double century. But his blazing knock in a 550-run chase went in vain as New Zealand fell short by 98 runs against England in the Christchurch Test.
11: During his rampage, Astle struck 11 sixes, which is the most by a batter in a losing knock. His 222 is also the highest score in an unsuccessful run chase in Test cricket.
35: On the other hand, Herschelle Gibbs’ 35 fours in his 183-run knock against England in the 2003 Oval Test are the most in a Test defeat.
Check: Which batter has hit the most sixes in a T20I innings?
