The fourth innings is the most exciting phase in Tests, often resulting in record totals and chases. Here’s a look at the highest fourth innings totals in Tests.
Highest 4th Innings Total in Tests
| Team | Score | Overs | Against | Venue | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 654/5 | 218.2×8 | South Africa | Durban | 3 Mar 1939 |
| West Indies | 457/6 | 163.3 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 2 Dec 2025 |
| New Zealand | 451 | 93.3 | England | Christchurch | 13 Mar 2002 |
| South Africa | 450/7 | 136.0 | India | Johannesburg | 18 Dec 2013 |
| Pakistan | 450 | 145.0 | Australia | Brisbane | 15 Dec 2016 |
| India | 445 | 141.4×8 | Australia | Adelaide | 28 Jan 1978 |
| Pakistan | 443/7 | 171.4 | Australia | Karachi | 12 Mar 2022 |
| New Zealand | 440 | 188.1 | England | Nottingham | 7 Jun 1973 |
| New Zealand | 431 | 118.5 | England | Napier | 22 Mar 2008 |
| India | 429/8 | 150.5 | England | The Oval | 30 Aug 1979 |
Dive into Team Totals & Aggregate Records
Highest Match Aggregates by Both Teams in a Test Match
Lowest Match Aggregates by Both Teams in a Test Match
Highest Team Aggregates in a Test Match
Lowest Team Aggregates in a Test Match
Highest Innings Totals in Test Cricket
Highest First Innings Totals in Test Cricket
Highest First Innings Aggregates by Both Teams in a Test Match
Highest Innings Totals for Each Team in Test Cricket
Highest Team Totals in Pink-Ball (Day-Night) Test Matches
Lowest Innings Totals in Test History
Lowest First Innings Totals in Test Cricket
Lowest Innings Totals for Each Team in Test Cricket
Highest Successful Run Chases in Test Cricket
Key Insights on Record Fourth Innings Batting Totals in Test Cricket
Highest Team Totals and Run Chases in Test History
England hold the record for the highest team total in the fourth innings in Test cricket, scoring 654 for 6 against South Africa in the 1939 timeless Test played in Durban.
The West Indies have recorded the highest successful run chase in Tests, gunning down a 418-run target set by Australia in the 2003 Antigua Test.
South Africa have registered the highest successful run chase in an overseas Test, overhauling a 414-run target against Australia in the 2008 Perth Test.
Overall, teams have successfully chased 400-plus targets only four times in Tests, with Australia and India being the other two teams.
England were the first team to score 400-plus runs in the fourth innings of a Test, being all out on 411 in response to the 605-run target set by Australia in the 1924 Sydney Test. See which team in Test cricket has scored 400+ scores most times.
Record-Breaking Individual and Team Batting Performance
England batted for 218.2 overs of eight balls each, or 1746 balls, the most faced by a team in the fourth innings of a Test match. No other team has played more than 1200 balls in the fourth Test innings.
Nathan Astle scored 222 of New Zealand’s 451 runs against England in 2002, which is the second-highest individual score by a batter in the fourth innings of a Test match. See all Test 4th innings double century knocks here.
Astle brought up his double hundred in 153 balls, making it the fastest by a batter in Test cricket.
England have recorded the highest run rate in the fourth innings, going at 8.21 while successfully chasing 104 runs against New Zealand in the 2024 Christchurch Test (minimum 100 runs).
Notable Batting Records and Outcomes
New Zealand’s 451 all out against England in 2002 is the highest fourth innings total in a losing cause in Tests, falling short of the 550-run target.
The West Indies’ 418-run chase against Australia in 2003 is the highest Test run chase by a team at home.
New Zealand’s 451 all out against England in 2002 is also the highest fourth-innings total by a team at home in Tests.
Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies have crossed the 400-run barrier three times each in the fourth Test innings.
New Zealand have lost every time they have scored 400-plus runs in the fourth innings in Tests, all against England.
Explore Team Scoring Milestones (Highs and Lows)
Most Times – 400+ Totals in Both Innings of a Test Match
All-Out Below 100 – Most Times in Tests
All-Out Below 50 – Most Times in Tests
Most Successful 250-plus Run Chases in ODI
Most Successful 350-plus Run Chases in ODI
All-Out Below 100 Most Times in ODIs
Fastest Successful 300+ Run Chases in ODIs
Most 200+ Totals in T20 World Cup
Most 200+ Totals in an IPL Season
