Highest Fourth Innings Total In Tests: Can Bangladesh Pull Off The Unthinkable In Chennai?

Bangladesh need 515 in their second innings [x]

Test cricket, the ultimate form of cricket has witnessed some classic games being played over the years. One of the most difficult task in a Test match is to score runs in the fourth innings. In any Test situation, the pitch deteriorates towards Day 4, and 5, and the batters have to grind out to score runs.

In certain conditions, especially in Asia, the ball starts to turn when the fourth innings takes place and the batting becomes a difficult task. However, there have been instances when teams have made a mockery of the bowling attack in the fourth innings, and have churned out high-scores. In this article, we look at the 4 highest scores slammed in the fourth-innings of a Test match.

Highest Fourth Innings Total In Tests

England vs South Africa (654/5)

England have the illustrious record of slamming the highest fourth-innings total in the 4th innings. They needed 696 runs to chase in the fourth innings, and the English side were at their imperial best and almost chased it down, losing just 5-wickets and scoring 654/5.

Bill Edrich (219), and Wally Hammond (140) played the innings of their life, but the game was eventually a drawn affair.

New Zealand Vs England (451)

New Zealand played with grit and determination in their second innings Vs England, but that wasn't enough as they lost the game by 98 runs. The Kiwis needed a mammoth 550 runs to seal the win, and despite the then fastest double century scored by Nathan Astle (222), the other batters failed to contribute as England won a rather close-fought affair.

South Africa Vs India (450/7)

The Test will be remembered for Virat Kohli's iconic 119 at the Jo'burg, but it will also be remembered for stunning, yet gritty hundred in the fourth-innings by Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers.

The Proteas needed 458 to chase in the fourth innings, and they needed a marathon knock from two best friends - Faf and AB,to bail their side out of a tricky situation. South Africa scored 450/7, and the match was drawn.

Pakistan Vs Australia (450)

Pakistan almost chased down a record 490 runs in their last innings, courtesy a stellar hundred from Asad Shafiq, who blasted 137 runs in the fourth innings. Unlike the top-order, Asad Shafiq got useful contributions from the lower-order as the Australian attack was taken to the cleaners.

Brisbane is known as a bowling paradise, and Asad made a mockery of the Aussie attack, but couldn't steer them to an historic win.

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