Highest Score In Test Cricket By a Team
Test cricket is the longest format of the game and is considered the ultimate test of a team’s skill and endurance. Over the years, many teams have scored big in Test cricket, but only a few have managed to break the record for the highest score in a single innings.
Highest Team Score In Test Cricket | Top 20
Here are the top 20 highest team scores in test cricket history:
20. England – 710/7d vs India – 2011
England rounds up the top twenty with their score of 710/7 against India on August 10, 2011.
India made 224 runs in their 1st innings. In reply, England made 710 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Alastair Cook made a magnificent double century (294) and contributions from other batsmen played a key role in achieving this significant total.
Indian team just managed to score 244 runs in their 2nd innings and lost the match by an innings and 242 runs.
19. Sri Lanka – 713/9d vs Bangladesh – 2018
Sri Lanka scored 713/9 against Bangladesh on January 31, 2018, securing the nineteenth-highest team score in Test cricket.
Kusal Mendis made 196 runs and Dhananjaya de Silva also made a brilliant century (173) and contributions from other batsmen powered Sri Lanka to this imposing total. Both teams played equally well and the match ended in a draw.
18. Sri Lanka – 713/3 vs Zimbabwe – 2004
This was a dominant performance by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in 2004. Marvan Atapattu made 249 runs and Kumar Sangakkara played an outstanding knock of 270 runs, while Mahela Jayawardene also made a century.
Sri Lanka declared their innings closed at 713/3 and then bowled Zimbabwe out for 228 and 231 to win the match by an innings and 151 runs.
17. New Zealand – 715/6 vs Bangladesh – 2019
This was a remarkable performance by New Zealand, who put on a batting masterclass against Bangladesh in 2019.
Bangladesh made 234 runs in their 1st innings. In reply, New Zealand made 715/6 with Jeet Raval scoring 132 runs, Top Latham made 161 and Kane Williamson made a double century.
New Zealand declared their innings closed at 715/6 and then bowled Bangladesh out in their 2nd innings for 429 runs to win the match by an innings and 52 runs.
16. India – 726/9 vs Sri Lanka – 2009
India piled up a huge score against Sri Lanka in 2009. Sri Lanka batting first, made 393 runs. In reply, India made 726 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.
Virender Sehwag played an outstanding innings of 293 runs and MS Dhoni also made a century, while Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Rahul Dravid made half-centuries.
India declared their innings at 726/9. In reply, Sri Lanka just managed to score 309 in their 2nd innings and lost the match by an innings and 24 runs.
15. Australia – 729/6 vs England – 1930
Australia made 729 for a loss of 6 wickets against England in 1930 and it is the fifteenth-highest team score in Test cricket.
Don Bradman’s exceptional innings of 254 runs was the highlight of the match. Australia won the match by 7 wickets, showcasing their dominance in that era.
14. Sri Lanka – 730/6 vs Bangladesh – 2014
This was another dominant performance by Sri Lanka. They scored a massive 730 runs in their first innings. Mahela Jayawardene made an unbeaten 203 runs and Kaushal
Silva scored 139 runs, while Kumar Sangakkara (75) and Angelo Mathews (86) also made valuable contributions.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 232 and 250 and Sri Lanka won the match by an innings and 248 runs.
13. Australia – 735/6 vs Zimbabwe – 2003
This was a one-sided match, with Australia dominating from the start. Mathew Hayden made record-breaking 380 runs and Adam Gilchrist also scored a century, while Damien Martyn (53) and Steve Waugh (78) also made valuable contributions.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 239 and 321, giving Australia a massive innings and 175-run victory.
12. West Indies – 747 vs South Africa – 2005
This was a high-scoring match that ended in a draw. The West Indies batted second and scored a massive 747 runs, thanks to centuries from Chris Gayle (317), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (127), and Ramnaresh Sarwan (127).
South Africa fought back well in their second innings and made 127 runs for the loss of one wicket and managed to draw the match.
11. West Indies – 749/9 vs England – 2009
West Indies made the eleventh-highest team score in Test cricket by declaring at 749/9 against England on February 26, 2009.
Ramnaresh Sarwan’s remarkable innings of 291 runs played a crucial role in achieving this formidable total.
The match ended in a draw, showcasing the competitiveness between the two cricketing nations.
10. West Indies – 751/5 vs England – 2004
West Indies made 751 for a loss of five wickets against England on April 10, 2004. The West Indies were in scintillating form in this match, scoring at a rapid pace throughout their innings.
Brian Lara played a monumental innings of 400* runs, a world record that still stands today. The match ended in a draw, with Lara’s historic innings etched in cricketing history.
9. Sri Lanka – 756/5 vs South Africa – 2006
This was a truly dominant performance by Sri Lanka. They piled up a mammoth 756 runs in their first innings.
Mahela Jayawardene played a record innings of 374 runs and Kumar Sangakkara scored 287. South Africa were bowled out for 282 and 403, giving Sri Lanka a massive innings and 153 runs victory.
8. Australia 758/8d vs West Indies – 1955
Australia’s highest Test score came against the West Indies in this match, thanks to centuries from Neil Harvey (204), Keith Miller (109), and Ron Archer (128).
The West Indies were bowled out for 357 and 319, giving Australia a convincing innings and 82-run victory.
7. India 759/7d vs England – 2016
India secured the seventh-highest team score in Test cricket by declaring at 759/7 against England on December 16, 2016.
Karun Nair’s historic triple century (303*) was the highlight of the match. He was well supported by KL Rahul (199), as India piled up a massive 759/7.
England were then bowled out for 477 and 207 and India won the match by an innings and 75 runs.
6. Sri Lanka 760/7d vs India – 2009
Sri Lanka makes another appearance on this list as they made 760 runs against India in 2009.
In a high-scoring encounter, Mahela Jayawardnene’s brilliant double century (275) played a crucial role.
However, the match ended in a draw, as both teams showcased resilience in their batting performances.
5. Pakistan 765/6d vs Sri Lanka – 2009
Younis Khan scored a career-best 313 and Kamran Akmal added 158* as Pakistan piled up a mammoth 765/6 against Sri Lanka.
The innings lasted for over 248.5 overs, and it remains Pakistan’s highest Test score. Despite Pakistan’s strong performance, the match ended in a draw.
4. West Indies 790/3d vs Pakistan – 1958
The West Indies recorded their highest-ever Test score in this match against Pakistan, thanks to a monumental triple century from Garfield Sobers.
Sobers batted for over 12 hours and faced 832 balls to score 365*, while Conrad Hunte (260) and Clyde Walcott (88) also contributed to the score.
Pakistan were bowled out for 328 and 288, giving the West Indies an innings and 174-run victory.
3. England 849 vs West Indies – 1930
England notched up the third-highest team score in Test cricket by putting up a massive total of 849 against the West Indies on April 3, 1930.
Andy Sandham’s stellar innings of 325 runs was the highlight of the match while Les Ames (149) and Bob Wyatt (58) also made valuable contributions.
The West Indies were bowled out for 286 but they played well in their 2nd innings and scored 408 for the loss of 5 wickets and the match ended in a draw.
2. England 903/7d vs Australia – 1938
England’s impressive total of 903/7 declared against Australia on August 20, 1938, is the second-highest team score in Test cricket.
The legendary Sir Len Hutton played a monumental innings, scoring 364 runs off 847 balls, which remains the highest individual score in Test cricket for England.
England won the match by an innings and 579 runs, underlining their complete dominance over the Australian team.
1. Sri Lanka 952/6d (declared) vs India – 1997
India made 537 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 1st innings. In reply, Sri Lanka piled up a mammoth 952/6 against India in 1997. This is the highest team total in Test history.
Their innings lasted for 271 overs, with three batsmen scoring centuries. Sanath Jayasuriya top-scored with an outstanding knock of 340 runs, while Roshan Mahanama (225), and Aravinda de Silva (126) all made significant contributions.
The match ended in a draw, highlighting the dominance of Sri Lanka’s batting prowess.
Top 50 Highest Scores In Test Cricket By a Team
| Sr. No. | Team | Score | Opposition | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 952/6d | v India | 2-Aug-97 |
| 2 | England | 903/7d | v Australia | 20-Aug-38 |
| 3 | England | 849 | v West Indies | 3-Apr-30 |
| 4 | West Indies | 790/3d | v Pakistan | 26-Feb-58 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 765/6d | v Sri Lanka | 21-Feb-09 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 760/7d | v India | 16-Nov-09 |
| 7 | India | 759/7d | v England | 16-Dec-16 |
| 8 | Australia | 758/8d | v West Indies | 11-Jun-55 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 756/5d | v South Africa | 27-Jul-06 |
| 10 | West Indies | 751/5d | v England | 10-Apr-04 |
| 11 | West Indies | 749/9d | v England | 26-Feb-09 |
| 12 | West Indies | 747 | v South Africa | 29-Apr-05 |
| 13 | Australia | 735/6d | v Zimbabwe | 9-Oct-03 |
| 14 | Sri Lanka | 730/6d | v Bangladesh | 27-Jan-14 |
| 15 | Australia | 729/6d | v England | 27-Jun-30 |
| 16 | India | 726/9d | v Sri Lanka | 2-Dec-09 |
| 17 | New Zealand | 715/6d | v Bangladesh | 28-Feb-19 |
| 18 | Sri Lanka | 713/3d | v Zimbabwe | 14-May-04 |
| 19 | Sri Lanka | 713/9d | v Bangladesh | 31-Jan-18 |
| 20 | England | 710/7d | v India | 10-Aug-11 |
| 21 | Pakistan | 708 | v England | 6-Aug-87 |
| 22 | India | 707 | v Sri Lanka | 26-Jul-10 |
| 23 | India | 705/7d | v Australia | 2-Jan-04 |
| 24 | Sri Lanka | 704/3d | v Ireland | 24-Apr-23 |
| 25 | Australia | 701 | v England | 18-Aug-34 |
| 26 | Pakistan | 699/5 | v India | 1-Dec-89 |
| 27 | Australia | 695 | v England | 16-Aug-30 |
| 28 | West Indies | 692/8d | v England | 24-Aug-95 |
| 29 | New Zealand | 690 | v Pakistan | 26-Nov-14 |
| 30 | India | 687/6d | v Bangladesh | 9-Feb-17 |
| 31 | West Indies | 687/8d | v England | 12-Aug-76 |
| 32 | South Africa | 682/6d | v England | 31-Jul-03 |
| 33 | West Indies | 681/8d | v England | 17-Mar-54 |
| 34 | New Zealand | 680/8d | v India | 14-Feb-14 |
| 35 | Pakistan | 679/7d | v India | 13-Jan-06 |
| 36 | India | 676/7 | v Sri Lanka | 17-Dec-86 |
| 37 | India | 675/5d | v Pakistan | 28-Mar-04 |
| 38 | Australia | 674/6d | v England | 8-Jul-09 |
| 39 | Australia | 674 | v India | 23-Jan-48 |
| 40 | Pakistan | 674/6 | v India | 24-Oct-84 |
| 41 | New Zealand | 671/4 | v Sri Lanka | 31-Jan-91 |
| 42 | Australia | 668 | v West Indies | 14-May-55 |
| 43 | India | 664 | v England | 9-Aug-07 |
| 44 | Australia | 662/9d | v England | 14-Dec-17 |
| 45 | West Indies | 660/5d | v New Zealand | 10-Feb-95 |
| 46 | New Zealand | 659/6d | v Pakistan | 3-Jan-21 |
| 47 | Australia | 659/4d | v India | 3-Jan-12 |
| 48 | Australia | 659/8d | v England | 13-Dec-46 |
| 49 | South Africa | 658/9d | v West Indies | 26-Dec-03 |
| 50 | England | 658/8d | v Australia | 10-Jun-38 |
FAQs
Q: Which team scored the highest score in Test cricket history?
A: The highest team score in test cricket is 952/6d which was made by the Sri Lankan cricket team against India on 02-08-1997.
Q: What is the highest test score by a batsman?
A: Brian Lara’s 400* is the highest test score by a batsman.
Q: Which team played the highest overs in the Test?
A: South Africa played 337.3 overs in a test match against England at Durban in 1938.
Q: Who hit 500 runs in the Test?
A: As of 04-12-2023, no batsman has scored 500 runs in a single test match.
Q: What is the biggest win in cricket history?
A: The biggest win in Test cricket is innings and 579 runs. This record was set by England against Australia in The Ashes Test match at The Oval in 1938.
Q: What is the lowest test score?
A: The lowest team score in Test cricket is 26 runs, recorded by New Zealand against England at Auckland on March 25, 1955.
Q: What is the highest score in t20 history?
A: The highest individual score in a T20 International match is 172 runs, scored by Australia’s Aaron Finch against Zimbabwe on July 3, 2018, in Harare.
Q: Who is the youngest player to score a test hundred?
A: Mohammad Ashraful of Bangladesh is the youngest player to score a Test century. He achieved this milestone at the age of 17 years and 61 days against Sri Lanka in 2001.
Q: Which team has the second-highest score in Test cricket?
A: On August 20, 1938, England posted a formidable score of 903/7 declared against Australia. This stands as the second-highest total ever recorded by a team in Test cricket.
Q. Which team has the highest score in Test cricket against Pakistan?
A. West Indies established the record for the highest score in Test cricket against Pakistan, declaring at 790/3 in Kingston in February 1958.
Q. Which team has the highest score in Test cricket against India?
A. Sri Lanka set the record for the highest score in Test cricket against India, declaring at 952/6 in Colombo in August 1997.
