Test cricket gives the team a proper time to settle down and score as many runs as they want. And, more often than not, the team batting first in a game scores more runs than the other three innings. That is why most of the highest totals in Test cricket are recorded while batting in the first inning of the game.
There are two instances when a team went on to score 900 or more runs in a single inning, and one of those two occasions came in the first inning of a game. And in this article, we will cover the list of the highest totals ever achieved in the first inning of the game overall.
3. West Indies – 751/5 d vs England in April 2004
The third highest total ever recorded in the first inning of a test match came in April 2004. It was a game between England and West Indies at St. John’s. England won the first three games of the series and was looking to cleansweep the series by winning the fourth one as well. West Indies won the toss and decided to bat. And the world saw the biggest individual inning in the 150-plus year history of the game.
West Indian skipper Brain Lara went on to score the highest individual score in the longest format. He scored an unbeaten 400, including 43 fours and 4 sixes, and became the only player to score 400 in test cricket. As a result, West Indies declared after 202 overs at 751/5. In reply, England got all out for 285 runs in their first inning. West Indies forced the follow-on, and England made 422/5 in their second inning. The game ended in a draw.
2. England – 849 all out vs West Indies in April 1930
England holds the record for the second highest first-inning totals in a game. It came way back in April 1930, against West Indies at Kingston. It was the fourth game of the four-match series. England won the toss and elected to bat first. They had two 150-plus partnership scores for the first two wickets. Opener Andy Sandham went on to score a triple century and make 325 runs with 28 boundaries.
Wicketkeeper Les Ames also scored a quick century and made 149 runs off 174, with 17 boundaries. As a result, England scored its second highest first inning and third-highest score ever. They made 849 runs in 258.2 overs. In reply, the West Indies scored 286 only in their first inning. England got a lead of 563 runs and batted again to declare at 272/9. They gave a massive target of 836 runs to West Indies to win. Chasing the target, West Indies were at 408/5 with the help of George Headley (223) when the game ended in a draw.
1. England – 903/7d vs Australia in August 1938
It is England who also holds the record for the highest total in the first inning of a test match. The highest ever first-inning total came in August 1938 against Australia at the Oval. Australia was leading the series 1-0, and it was the fifth and final test. England batted first after winning the toss. They had brilliant start with the opener Leonard Hutton scoring an incredible triple century. He made 364 runs with 35 boundaries.
Maurice Leyland (187) and Joe Hardstaff (169*) also scored big centuries for them. England batted for 335.2 overs before declaring their first inning for a massive 903/7. It was the highest ever total until 1997, when Sri Lanka broke it. In reply, Australia got dismissed for 201 and 123 runs in their two innings. And England registered the biggest inning win in the history of the game. They won the game by an inning and 579 runs.
Highest 1st inning Total in Test Cricket
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 903/4d | Australia | The Oval | 20 Aug 1938 | ENG won by an inning & 579 runs |
| England | 849 | West Indies | Kingston | 3 Apr 1930 | Match Drawn |
| West Indies | 751/5 d | England | St John’s | 10 Apr 2004 | Match Drawn |
| Australia | 735/6 d | Zimbabwe | Perth | 9 Oct 2003 | AUS won by an inning & 175 runs |
| Pakistan | 708 | England | The Oval | 6 Aug 1987 | Match Drawn |
| India | 705/7 d | Australia | Sydney | 2 Jan 2004 | Match Drawn |
| Australia | 701 | England | The Oval | 18 Aug 1934 | AUS won by 562 runs |
| India | 687/6 d | Bangladesh | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 9 Feb 2017 | IND won by 208 runs |
| West Indies | 687/6 d | England | The Oval | 12 Aug 1976 | WI won by 231 runs |
| West Indies | 681/8 d | England | Port of Spain | 17 Mar 1954 | Match Drawn |
Innings Wise Highest Total
| 1 | Highest Test Score in 1st Innings |
| 2 | Highest Test Score in 2nd Innings |
| 3 | Highest Test Score in 3rd Innings |
| 4 | Highest Test Score in 4th Innings |