Test cricket is the longest form of the game and is considered to be a true test of a players’ skill and endurance.The popularity of Test matches has so far been successfully maintained in this era of T-20s and ODIs. Due to this game’s format, the best players in the world have shown off their abilities.

This format of the game, which lasts five days and four innings, is so seductive that it occasionally overshadows the excitement of the T-20 and ODI matches that came before it. In this article, we will look at the top 10 highest scores in Test cricket.

Top 10 Highest Scores in Test Cricket

Sri Lanka (952/6 d) against India (1997)

The highest team score in Test cricket history is 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India in 1997. In the first Test match of the series, India won the toss and elected to bat first. Thanks to centuries from Sidhu, Azhar, and Sachin, India declared a score of 537/8. Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama led the charge with scores of 340 and 225 runs, respectively. The innings lasted more than three days, and Sri Lanka set a new record for the highest score in Tests.

England (903/7 d) against Australia (1938) 

The 2nd-highest score in test cricket is scored by England. On the 4th day alone, England prevailed in this 5th test of the Ashes series, which got underway at the Oval on August 20, 1938. In that game, England scored 903 runs for the loss of seven wickets after batting first, and Australia was only able to reply with 324 runs in total throughout both innings.

England overcame Australia in this manner to win the game, by an inning and 579 runs. Sir Len Hutton contributed a historical inning for England, scoring 364 runs, in this game.

England (849/10) against West Indies (1930)

During that time period, test matches were played until the results were known. The England squad visited the Caribbean in 1930. England batted in the game, which began on April 3 in Jamaica, and scored 849 runs in the opening frame. England’s score was made possible by Andy Sandholm’s 325-run inning.

Following England’s 2nd innings total of 272 runs, the West Indies were given an 836-run target. When the England bowlers were unable to get the West Indies out after nearly two days of bowling, both captains agreed to rule the game a draw.

West Indies (730/3 d) against Pakistan (1958)

West Indies defeated Pakistan by an innings and 174 runs in this game, which was played in Jamaica. Pakistan scored 328 runs after batting first. In retaliation, the West Indies team scored 790 runs for the loss of just three wickets and moved into a 462-run advantage over the Pakistan squad. After Pakistan’s second innings was reduced to 288 runs, the West Indies won by innings and 174 runs.

Pakistan (765/6 d) against Sri Lanka (2009)

Due to outstanding double centuries from captain Mahela Jayawardene and Samaraweera, Sri Lanka scored a mountainous 644/7 in their first innings. Pakistan provided a suitable response as well, scoring 765/6 runs. Younis Khan recorded the first triple century of his Test career for Pakistan, and Kamran Akmal supported him with a magnificent 158-run innings. In the midst of this barrage of runs, no team was able to claim 20 wickets off the other, and the game ended in a tie. 

Sri Lanka (760/7 d) against India (2009)

In the five days of this match in Ahmedabad, there were 21 wickets and 7 hundreds. In this 760-run Sri Lankan inning, Mahela Jayawardene hit 275 runs. Tillakaratne Dilshan (112) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 *) also made centuries at the same time. On a slow track, the Indian bowling seemed to be fairly flat. But Sachin and Gambhir’s heroics on the last day helped the game end in a tie.

India (759/7 d) against England (2016)

Among the top 10 highest scores in test cricket, India makes their first appearance. In the 5th test of the series against England, which was played in Chennai, the tenacious Team India led by Virat Kohli broke this record. KL Rahul (199) and Karun Nair (303 *) offered to run for India in this game. In reaction, England succumbed to sunstroke and slouched away. They scored 207 in the second inning after scoring 477 in the first. 

Australia (758/8 d) against West Indies (1955)

The Kangaroo hitters fooled around with the Caribbean bowling in the game that was played at Sabina Park. At the time Australia set the record, it was the 3rd-best score in a Test inning. The Australians benefited from the contributions of Nell Harvey (204), Colin McDonald (127), Katen Miller (109), and Ron Archer (128). In the end, Australia prevailed by an inning and 82 runs.

Sri Lanka (765/5 d) against South Africa (2006)

Sangakkara and Jayawardene of Sri Lanka batted for a record-breaking 624 runs after restricting the Africans to 169 runs, who batted first. Both batsmen put on a fantastic batting performance. South Africa knew the second inning would be difficult, but they fought valiantly to extend the game to the 5th day. However, they were unable to avoid the loss and were defeated by 153 runs after one inning.

West Indies (751/5 d) against England (2004)

The West Indies currently have the 10th-highest team total in history. The Caribbean team amassed a staggering total of 751 runs in the first innings against the mighty England in April 2004. The West Indies squad batted for 202 overs in total, scoring 3.71 runs per over. The only four hundred in international cricket up to this point was produced by Brian Lara, who amassed a stunning 400 runs without being bowled. During his long knock, Brian Lara was on the crease for nearly 13 hours.

Summing Up

Test cricket is the real form of cricket and is known for its unpredictability, competitiveness, and longevity, but records have been made and broken over the years in this format. Teams have scored massive totals in innings and have also bowled out opponents for low scores. But unlike earlier, when teams used to bat only to produce a massive score, nowadays teams are more focused on winning than making headlines.