Highest 10th Wicket Partnership in Test Cricket

The highest 10th wicket partnership in Test cricket refers to the highest number of runs scored by the batting pair occupying the 10th position in the batting order. 

This partnership is significant as it showcases the resilience and determination of the lower-order batsmen to contribute to the team’s total. 

It is a testament to their skill and ability to withstand the pressure of the opposition’s bowling attack. 

The record for the highest 10th wicket partnership in Test cricket is a remarkable achievement that highlights the importance of every player’s contribution in a team sport like cricket.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 highest 10th wicket partnerships in test cricket.

Highest 10th Wicket Partnership in Test Cricket | Top 10

Here is a detailed overview of the top 10 highest 10th wicket partnerships in test cricket:

10- James Taylor, Arthur Mailey – 127 (Australia vs England, Sydney, 19-Dec-24):

The remarkable partnership of James Taylor and Arthur Mailey in December 1924 stands as a testament to the formative years of Test cricket. 

Their impressive score of 127 runs against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground exemplified the determination and expertise required during a time when cricket was still shaping its contemporary essence.

Australia scored 452 in the second innings with Taylor and Mailey’s contribution. England responded with 411 and Australia won the match by 193 runs.

9- Ken Higgs, John Snow – 128 (England vs West Indies, The Oval, 18-Aug-66):

In August 1966, The Oval witnessed a remarkable display of resilience from England’s Ken Higgs and John Snow. 

Together, they formed an unyielding partnership of 128 runs against the formidable West Indies bowling attack. 

This stand epitomized the team’s unwavering determination to withstand the challenges thrown at them.

England, boosted by Higgs and Snow’s partnership, posted a total of 527. West Indies replied with 268 and 225, and England won the match by an innings and 34 runs.

8- RE Foster, Wilfred Rhodes – 130 (England vs Australia, Sydney, 11-Dec-03):

In Sydney, Australia, during the early 20th century, RE Foster and Wilfred Rhodes joined forces to form a remarkable partnership of  130 runs.

This memorable moment showcased the timeless essence of Test cricket and the unwavering spirit of English cricket.

The historic partnership of Foster and Rhodes helped England reach a total of 577 in their first innings and scored 194/5 in their second innings.

Australia responded with 285 and 485, and England won the match by 5 wickets.

7- Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan – 133 (India vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 10-Dec-04):

The historic partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan in Dhaka, in December 2004, added another layer to Tendulkar’s legendary career. 

Their 133 runs against Bangladesh not only showcased Tendulkar’s ability to adapt but also the surprising resilience of the 10th wicket.

Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan’s partnership took India to a total of 526. Bangladesh managed 184 and 202 in response, and the match ended with India winning by an innings and 140 runs.

6- Wasim Raja, Wasim Bari – 133 (Pakistan vs West Indies, Bridgetown, 18-Feb-77):

Bridgetown, February 1977, witnessed Pakistan’s Wasim Raja and Wasim Bari crafting a 133-run partnership against the West Indies. 

Their stand exemplified the skill and determination needed to counter the mighty West Indian bowling lineup.

Pakistan posted 435 in the first innings and 291 in the second innings with Raja and Bari’s contribution. West Indies replied with 421 and 251/9, and the match ended in a draw.

5- Denesh Ramdin, Tino Best – 143 (West Indies vs England, Birmingham, 07-Jun-12):

The Edgbaston Test in June 2012 witnessed West Indies’ Denesh Ramdin and Tino Best combining for a memorable 143-run partnership against England. 

Their resilience in the face of a formidable English attack not only salvaged the innings but also left an indelible mark on the cricketing archives.

West Indies, propelled by Ramdin and Best’s partnership, posted a total of 426. England, in reply, managed 221/5, and the ended in a draw.

4- Azhar Mahmood, Mushtaq Ahmed – 151 (Pakistan vs South Africa, Rawalpindi, 06-Oct-97):

The Rawalpindi encounter in October 1997 witnessed Azhar Mahmood and Mushtaq Ahmed scripting history with their 151-run partnership against South Africa. 

This unexpected alliance not only showcased the unpredictability of the game but also the depth in Pakistan’s lower order.

The partnership of Azhar Mahmood and Mushtaq Ahmed helped Pakistan reach 4556 in the first innings. South Africa responded strongly with 403, and the match ended in a draw.

3- Brian Hastings, Richard Collinge – 151 (New Zealand vs Pakistan, Auckland, 16-Feb-73):

New Zealand’s Brian Hastings and Richard Collinge joined forces in February 1973 to produce a resilient 151-run partnership against Pakistan. 

Their determined stand showcased the fighting spirit of the Kiwis and added a memorable chapter to Test cricket.

New Zealand scored 402 in the first innings with Hastings and Collinge’s 151-run partnership playing a pivotal role and declared their second innings at 92/3 Pakistan, in response, scored 402 and 271. The match ended in a draw.

2- Phillip Hughes, Ashton Agar – 163 (Australia vs England, Nottingham, 10-Jul-13):

The picturesque setting of Nottingham in July 2013 bore witness to a remarkable partnership between Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar. 

Their 163 runs against England not only surprised cricket enthusiasts but also demonstrated the potential of the 10th wicket to not only resist but also to thrive.

The partnership of Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar took Australia from a precarious position to a substantial total of 280 in their first innings. 

England, in reply, posted 215 and 375, and won the match by 14 runs.

1- Joe Root, James Anderson – 198 (England vs India, Nottingham, 09-Jul-14):

In July 2014, Joe Root and James Anderson etched their names into cricket history with a monumental 198-run partnership against India. 

Root’s batting prowess combined with Anderson’s unexpected resilience not only saved England from a precarious position but also set a new record for the highest 10th wicket partnership.

The partnership between Joe Root and James Anderson at Nottingham in 2014 was instrumental in England’s recovery.

Their 198-run stand helped England post a competitive total of 496. In response, India managed 457, and the match ended in a draw.

List of the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships in the History of Test Cricket

Sr. No.	Partners	Runs	Team	Opposition	Ground	Match Date
1	Joe Root, James Anderson	198	England	v India	Nottingham	9-Jul-14
2	Phillip Hughes, Ashton Agar	163	Australia	v England	Nottingham	10-Jul-13
3	Brian Hastings, Richard Collinge	151	New Zealand	v Pakistan	Auckland	16-Feb-73
4	Azhar Mahmood, Mushtaq Ahmed	151	Pakistan	v South Africa	Rawalpindi	6-Oct-97
5	Denesh Ramdin, Tino Best	143	West Indies	v England	Birmingham	7-Jun-12
6	Wasim Raja, Wasim Bari	133	Pakistan	v West Indies	Bridgetown	18-Feb-77
7	Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan	133	India	v Bangladesh	Dhaka	10-Dec-04
8	RE Foster, Wilfred Rhodes	130	England	v Australia	Sydney	11-Dec-03
9	Ken Higgs, John Snow	128	England	v West Indies	The Oval	18-Aug-66
10	James Taylor, Arthur Mailey	127	Australia	v England	Sydney	19-Dec-24
11	BJ Watling, Trent Boult	127	New Zealand	v Bangladesh	Chattogram	9-Oct-13
12	JG Bracewell, SL Boock	124	New Zealand	v Australia	Sydney	22-Nov-85
13	RA Duff, WW Armstrong	120	Australia	v England	Melbourne	1-Jan-02
14	NJ Astle, CL Cairns	118	New Zealand	v England	Christchurch	13-Mar-02
15	P Willey, RGD Willis	117*	England	v West Indies	The Oval	24-Jul-80
16	JN Gillespie, GD McGrath	114	Australia	v New Zealand	Brisbane	18-Nov-04
17	B Kumar, Mohammed Shami	111	India	v England	Nottingham	9-Jul-14
18	HR Adhikari, Ghulam Ahmed	109	India	v Pakistan	Delhi	16-Oct-52
19	AB de Villiers, M Morkel	107*	South Africa	v Pakistan	Abu Dhabi	20-Nov-10
20	MEK Hussey, GD McGrath	107	Australia	v South Africa	Melbourne	26-Dec-05
21	NJ Astle, DK Morrison	106*	New Zealand	v England	Auckland	24-Jan-97
22	CL Hooper, CA Walsh	106	West Indies	v Pakistan	St John's	1-May-93
23	Harbhajan Singh, S Sreesanth	105	India	v New Zealand	Hyderabad	12-Nov-10
24	Zulfiqar Ahmed, Amir Elahi	104	Pakistan	v India	Chennai	28-Nov-52
25	MJ Henry, AY Patel	104	New Zealand	v Pakistan	Karachi	2-Jan-23
26	HGO Owen-Smith, AJ Bell	103	South Africa	v England	Leeds	13-Jul-29
27	AJ Stewart, AR Caddick	103	England	v Australia	Birmingham	5-Jul-01
28	KA Maharaj, D Paterson	99	South Africa	v England	Gqeberha	16-Jan-20
29	FMM Worrell, WW Hall	98*	West Indies	v India	Port of Spain	4-Apr-62
30	J Briggs, J Hunter	98	England	v Australia	Melbourne	1 Jan 1885
31	AK Davidson, GD McKenzie	98	Australia	v England	Manchester	27-Jul-61
32	A Flower, HK Olonga	97*	Zimbabwe	v India	Delhi	18-Nov-00
33	TG Hogan, RM Hogg	97	Australia	v West Indies	Georgetown	2-Mar-84
34	AC Voges, JR Hazlewood	97	Australia	v West Indies	Roseau	3-Jun-15
35	PW Sherwell, AEE Vogler	94	South Africa	v England	Cape Town	30-Mar-06
36	SM Gavaskar, NS Yadav	94	India	v Australia	Adelaide	13-Dec-85
37	TA Blundell, MJ Henry	94	New Zealand	v South Africa	Christchurch	17-Feb-22
38	CAG Russell, AER Gilligan	92	England	v South Africa	Durban	16-Feb-23
39	GP Thorpe, MJ Hoggard	91	England	v Sri Lanka	Birmingham	30-May-02
40	Wasim Akram, Arshad Khan	90	Pakistan	v Sri Lanka	Colombo (SSC)	14-Jun-00
41	MJ Leach, S Mahmood	90	England	v West Indies	St George's	24-Mar-22
42	JP Crawley, ARC Fraser	89	England	v Sri Lanka	The Oval	27-Aug-98
43	Younis Khan, Rahat Ali	88*	Pakistan	v Zimbabwe	Harare	3-Sep-13
44	WL Murdoch, WH Moule	88	Australia	v England	The Oval	6 Sep 1880
45	Asif Iqbal, Iqbal Qasim	87	Pakistan	v Australia	Adelaide	24-Dec-76
46	MA Starc, NM Lyon	87	Australia	v South Africa	Perth	30-Nov-12
47	GH Dockrell, TJ Murtagh	87	Ireland	v Afghanistan	Dehradun	15-Mar-19
48	SK Warne, SA Muller	86	Australia	v Pakistan	Brisbane	5-Nov-99
49	TG Southee, CS Martin	84	New Zealand	v England	Napier	22-Mar-08
50	R Illingworth, JA Snow	83	England	v West Indies	Lord's	26-Jun-69
51	VS Ransford, WJ Whitty	82	Australia	v South Africa	Melbourne	17-Feb-11
52	SJ Benn, S Shillingford	82	West Indies	v New Zealand	Kingston	8-Jun-14
53	MA Wood, SCJ Broad	82	England	v South Africa	Johannesburg	24-Jan-20
54	WH Lockwood, W Rhodes	81*	England	v Australia	Birmingham	29-May-02
55	Imran Khan, Tauseef Ahmed	81*	Pakistan	v India	Chennai	3-Feb-87
56	AE Trott, ST Callaway	81	Australia	v England	Adelaide	11 Jan 1895
57	Sarfaraz Ahmed, Rahat Ali	81	Pakistan	v New Zealand	Dubai (DSC)	17-Nov-14
58	M Watkinson, RK Illingworth	80*	England	v West Indies	Nottingham	10-Aug-95
59	TW Garrett, E Evans	80	Australia	v England	Sydney	20 Feb 1885
60	RG Sharma, Mohammed Shami	80	India	v West Indies	Wankhede	14-Nov-13

Data Source: ESPN Cricinfo

FAQs

Q: What is the longest partnership for 10th wicket partnership?

A: The longest 10th wicket partnership in Test cricket was between England’s Joe Root and James Anderson. They combined for a remarkable 198 runs against India at Nottingham on July 9, 2014.

Q: Who has the highest 10th wicket partnership in ODI history?

A: The highest 10th wicket partnership in One Day International (ODI) history is held by West Indies’ Viv Richards and Michael Holding. They set this record on May 31, 1984, against England in Manchester.