What Are England's Biggest Defeats In Tests By Runs?



Heaviest defeats for England in Tests [Source: AP Photo]
Heaviest defeats for England in Tests [Source: AP Photo]

Six wickets down, still needing 455 runs to win with just one designated batter at the crease, it looks all but over for the England side in the second Test match at Edgbaston Vs India. The hosts chased down 371 in the first Test but a target of 608 looks to big to achieve as the team now relies on rain to save their blushes in the match.

In the history of Test cricket, England has suffered some heavy and humiliating defeats in Test cricket. The Ben Stokes led side relishes chasing a total but it looks the Indian bowlers are too hot to handle. Here are a list of England's heaviest defeats in Tests in terms of runs.

List of England's heaviest defeats in Test cricket

Margin
Score
Opposition
Venue
Year
562145AustraliaThe Oval1934
434122IndiaRajkot2024
425126West IndiesManchester1976
423234New ZealandHamilton2024
409186AustraliaLord's1948

England's biggest loss in the fourth innings came back in 1934 during a match Vs Australia when the side got bundled out for a paltry 145, chasing 707 runs.

In recent times, the Rajkot Test comes in the memory as the Rohit Sharma-led side humiliated England. The Stokes-led side lost the match by 434 runs which turned out to be their second-biggest defeat in terms of runs. Ironically, in the same year, the New Zealand side inflicted a heavy defeat as the English team lost a Test match by a whopping margin of 423 runs in Hamilton.

India exposes England's vulnerability on Day 5

Heading into Day 5 of the Edgbaston Test match, England had seven wickets in hand but the victory looked far away as India had the upper hand. However, for all the talk of playing Bazball cricket, the home side went into a shell as Ben Stokes and his troops surrendered in front of Akash Deep, who rocked their batters with a brilliant display of swing bowling.

England batters looked a bit vulnerable in front of moving ball and the Indian pacers utilised it to perfection as the hosts crumbled on the final day.