In a test match, batting second is a difficult task for any team. Because it means that the team will have to bat when the ball is swing, reverse-swing and also turning much. That is why the fourth-inning total is the lowest when compared to the first three innings of a test match.
A team that bats fourth in a test is always under pressure to chase the game or save the match for a draw. According to records, there has only been one instance in the over 150-year history of test cricket when a team has scored 500-plus totals in the fourth inning. And in this article, we will cover the list of the highest test totals ever made in the fourth inning of a test.
3. South Africa (450/4) vs India in Dec 2013
South Africa registered the third-highest fourth-inning total in test history. They did this against India in December 2013 in Johannesburg. It was the first game of the two-match series, and batting first, India managed 280 all out. Virat Kohli (119) scored a brilliant century in that inning. In response, South Africa also couldn’t score much and got all out for 244, giving India a lead of 36 runs.
In their second inning, India scored another 421 runs in 120.4 overs and gave South Africa a target of 457 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara scored 153 runs, and Virat made 96 runs in the second inning. Chasing the target, South Africa reached 450/7 in 136 overs with Faf du Plessis (136) and AB de Villiers (103). But with only seven runs to win, the match ended in a draw.
2. New Zealand (451) vs England in March 2002
The second-highest fourth-inning total in test history came in a match between New Zealand and England. It was the first test of the three-match series at Christchurch, and New Zealand won the toss and bowled first. England were dismissed for 228 runs, and skipper Nasser Hussain (106) made a century. In reply, New Zealand had an even worse batting performance, and they got all out for just 147 runs and conceded a lead of 81 runs.
With a healthy lead of 81 runs, England batted again and scored over 400 runs. England declared their second inning at 468/6 in 96.4 overs, with Graham Thorpe scoring an unbeaten 200. New Zealand was set to chase a target of 550 runs. Although they tried hard, they only managed 451 runs in 93.3 overs, with Nathan Astle scoring the fastest double century and making 222 runs off 168 balls. New Zealand lost by 98 runs.
1. England (654/5) vs South Africa in March 1939
The highest ever fourth-inning total in a test match is registered under the name of England. It came way back in March 1939 against South Africa Durban. It was a run feast, with both teams scoring big runs. Batting first, England scored 530 runs. Pieter van der Bijl (125) and Dudley Nourse (103) scored centuries. In reply, England’s first inning was restricted to 316 runs in 117.6 overs. South Africa had a first-inning lead of 214 runs.
Thus, South Africa batted again and added another 481 runs, with skipper Alan Melville scoring a century. He scored 103 runs, with Bruce Mitchell (89) and Pieter van der Bijl (97) also contributing significantly. England was set to chase a target of 696 runs. But they didn’t fail in the chase. England’s batters made significant contributions as they reached 654/5 in 218.2 overs before the game was called a draw. Bill Edrich (219), Paul Gibb (120), and skipper Wally Hammond (140) scored centuries. It is still the highest fourth-inning total in history.
Highest 4th inning Total in Test Cricket
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 654/5 | South Africa | Durban | 3 Mar 1939 | Match drawn |
| New Zealand | 451 | England | Christchurch | 13 Mar 2002 | ENG won by 98 runs |
| South Africa | 450/7 | India | Johannesburg | 18 Dec 2013 | Match drawn |
| Pakistan | 450 | Australia | Brisbane | 15 Dec 2016 | AUS won by 39 runs |
| India | 445 | Australia | Adelaide | 28 Jan 1978 | AUS won by 47 runs |
| Pakistan | 443/7 | Australia | Karachi | 12 Mar 2022 | Match drawn |
| New Zealand | 440 | England | Nottingham | 7 Jun 1973 | ENG won by 38 runs |
| New Zealand | 431 | England | Napier | 22 Mar 2008 | ENG won by 121 runs |
| India | 429/8 | England | The Oval | 30 Aug 1979 | Match drawn |
| South Africa | 423/7 | England | The Oval | 16 Aug 1947 | 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 |