Australia has been the top ranked teams since the game of cricket began in 1877. They played the first ever test match against England at the MCG stadium in 1877. Since then, Australia’s true dominance has begun. Until now, Australia has been regarded as the team to beat against any opponent. Especially in the longest format, they have some amazing records.
But over the years, a few teams have found good success against them. There have been times when teams played well. Thus, this article will bring some big partnerships against Australia in test cricket. Partnerships are meant to turn the tide of the game. And a big test partnership helps the team get the upper hand on the opposition.
Highest Partnership against Australia in Test
| Pair | Runs | Wkt | Team | Venue | Date |
| Leonard Hutton and Maurice Leyland | 382 | 2nd | England | The Oval | 20 Aug 1938 |
| VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid | 376 | 5th | India | Eden Gardens | 11 Mar 2001 |
| Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara | 370 | 2nd | India | Hyderabad | 2 Mar 2013 |
| Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman | 353 | 4th | India | Sydney | 2 Jan 2004 |
| Graham Gooch and David Gower | 351 | 2nd | England | The Oval | 29 Aug 1985 |
| Denis Atkinson and Clairmonte Depeiaza | 347 | 7th | West Indies | Bridgetown | 14 May 1955 |
| Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock | 341 | 3rd | South Africa | Adelaide | 24 Jan 1964 |
| Tim Robinson and David Gower | 331 | 2nd | England | Birmingham | 15 Aug 1985 |
| Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott | 329* | 2nd | England | Brisbane | 25 Nov 2010 |
| Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes | 323 | 1st | England | Melbourne | 9 Feb 1912 |
3. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara (370 runs) for 2nd wicket in 2013
The rivalry between India and Australia has grown in the last decade or two. Both teams are top-ranked and have some big match-winners in their ranks. Against Australia, an Indian pair registered the third-biggest test partnership. It came in Hyderabad in March 2013. Batting first, Australia declared at 237/9 in 85 overs. In response, India had a brilliant batting performance. India made 503 runs in their first inning and took a 266-run lead.
It was largely due to a 370-run partnership for the second wicket between Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara. Both batters scored centuries as well. Vijay made 167 runs with 23 fours and two sixes. On the other hand, Pujara scored a brilliant double century and made 204 runs with 30 boundaries. Trailing by 266 runs, Australia got bowled out for 131 runs and lost the game by an inning and 135 runs.
2. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid (376 runs) for 5th wicket in 2001
There might have been many big partnerships in history, but not many can match the intensity of the partnerships between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid that began in March 2001 at Eden Gardens. It was only the third time in the history of 150-plus years that a team won the game after a follow-on. Batting first, Australia made 445 runs, dismissed India for just 171 runs, and enforced a follow-on.
India needed a big turnaround to comeback into the game after trailing by 274 runs. Team India lost four wickets for 232 runs. But after that came an incredible partnership between Laxman and Dravid for the fifth wicket. Both batters added 376 runs and helped India reach 657/7 and declare. Dravid made 180 runs, and Laxman scored 281 runs. India set a target of 384 runs, and Australia got all out for 212 runs and lost by 171 runs.
1. Leonard Hutton and Maurice Leyland (382 runs) for 2nd Wicket in 1938
The highest partnership against Australia came way back in August 1938 by England at The Oval. It came in a record-breaking match. It was the final game of the five-match series. After winning the toss, England batted first and posted the highest test total of 903/7 in 335.2 overs and declared. That remained the highest for almost 65 years, and then Sri Lanka broke that record. There were three centurions for England.
Leonard Hutton and Maurice Leyland added 382 runs for the second wicket, which is the most against Australia. Leyland made 187, while Hutton scored his career-best score of 364 with 35 boundaries. In reply, Australia couldn’t keep up the rate and got bowled out for 201 and 123 runs in both innings of the game. As a result, England registered the biggest inning win in the history of test cricket. They won by an inning and 579 runs.