The third inning of a test match is an important aspect of the game because a match can be turned on its head in the third inning. Over the years, we have seen the conditions of the pitch degrade during the third inning of a game, which makes it more difficult for a team to score freely.
But with a 150-plus history of test cricket, there are some instances when a team scores big totals during the third inning of a test. Here we will talk about the highest scores by teams in the third inning of a test. Teams have scored over the 700-run mark in tests a total of 27 times. But in the third inning, it hasn’t happened yet.
3. India (657/7 d) vs Australia in March 2001
India made the third highest test total in the third inning of a test. It was made in March 2001, when Australia toured India for a three-match test series. It came in the second test at the Eden Gardens. And this game has been entered into various record books. Australia batted first and made 445 runs, with skipper Steve Waugh (110) scoring centuries. In reply, India got all out for just 171 runs in 58.1 overs.
With 274 runs ahead, Australia enforced the follow-on and put India to bat again. But India’s second inning saw various records break. India went on to score 657/7 and declared to give Australia a 384-run target. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid added 376 runs for the fifth wicket. Laxman made 281 runs while Dravid scored 180 runs. Chasing the target, Australia got all out for 212 runs, and India won by 171 runs. This was only the third time a team won the game after facing a follow-on.
2. New Zealand (671/4) vs Sri Lanka in Jan 1991
New Zealand holds for second-highest and the highest test total while batting in thrid inning of a test. They scored the second highest total against Sri Lanka in January 1991 at Wellington. It was the first game of the three-match series, and New Zealand didn’t have a good first inning. They got dismissed for just 174 runs in 58.2 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka made 497 runs with the help of Aravinda de Silva (267).
Sri Lanka took a first-inning lead of 223 runs. But the Black Caps had some incredible batting performances when they came out to bat in their second inning. There was a massive partnership of 467 runs for the third wicket between Andrew Jones and skipper Martin Crowe. Jones scored 186 runs, while Crowe scored 299 but fell short of his triple century. As a result, New Zealand made a massive score of 671/4 in 220.3 overs. With not much time left, the game ended in a draw.
1. New Zealand (680/8d) vs India in Feb 2014
New Zealand holds the record for the highest ever total in the third inning of a test. It happened in February 2014, against India in Wellington.It was the second and final test of the series, with India bowling first after winning the toss. New Zealand had a poor batting performance in the first inning and got all out for just 192 in their first inning. In reply, India scored 438 runs in their first inning with the help of Ajinkya Rahane (118).
New Zealand was trailing by 230 runs and needed a good batting performance to post a big total. And in their second innings, three Kiwi batters scored a century, with skipper Brendon McCullum scoring his career-best score. He made 302 runs along with BJ Watling (124) and James Neesham (137*). New Zealand declared at 680/8 in 210 runs and gave a target of 435 runs to India. Team India were at 166/3 in 52 overs when the game ended in a draw.
Highest 3rd inning Total in Test Cricket
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 680/8d | India | Wellington | 14 Feb 2014 | Match Drawn |
| New Zealand | 671/4 | Sri Lanka | Wellington | 31 Jan 1991 | Match Drawn |
| India | 657/7 d | Australia | Eden Gardens | 11 Mar 2001 | IND won by 174 runs |
| Pakistan | 657/8 d | West Indies | Bridgetown | 17 Jan 1958 | Match Drawn |
| South Africa | 620 | Australia | Johannesburg | 27 Dec 1966 | SA won by 223 runs |
| West Indies | 616 | Australia | Adelaide | 24 Jan 1969 | Match Drawn |
| Pakistan | 599/7d | India | Karachi | 29 Jan 2006 | PAK won by 341 runs |
| New Zealand | 585/4d | Sri Lanka | Christchurch | 26 Dec 2018 | NZ won by 423 runs |
| England | 583/4d | West Indies | Birmingham | 30 May 1957 | Match Drawn |
| Australia | 582 | England | Adelaide | 14 Jan 1921 | AUS won by 119 runs |
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 |