West Indies staring at glory: Highest 4th innings run-chases in New Zealand listed

Mayank

Shai Hope remained 116* at Stumps Day 4 [Source: MarkramBot/X.com]Shai Hope remained 116* at Stumps Day 4 [Source: MarkramBot/X.com]

West Indies eyes history on Day 5 of the ongoing Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, as they look to chase down a record fourth innings total of 531 runs, with 319 runs required on the final day and set duo of Shai Hope (116*) and Justin Greaves (55*) batting for the fifth wicket.

As Hope and Greaves stare at history, with their first World Test Championship points on the line, we explore the highest run-chases in New Zealand.

5. Australia vs New Zealand, 2nd Test 2024 - 279 runs

In the 2nd Test of the Australia tour of New Zealand, 2024 in Christchurch, the Aussies were asked to chase 279 after fifties from Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mithcell. Despite being reduced to 34/4 and 80/5, Mitchell Marsh (80) and Alex Carey added 140 runs for the sixth wicket, before two consecutive wickets at 220.

Carey was joined by captain Pat Cummins, and the duo took them past the target with a 60-run partnership. Carey was adjudged player of the match for his 98* and 10 catches, while Ben Sears' 4/90 and Matt Henry's 7/67 went in vain.

4. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test 2023 - 285 runs

During one of the most famous final day finishes of recent times, NZ faced Sri Lanka in Christchurch in 2023 and were asked to chase 285 runs with only 70 overs to bat. Kane Williamson stuck to an end after coming in to bat at 9/1 in 5 overs. Apart from Daryl Mitchell's 81(86), nobody else got going on the day to bat alongside Williamson, who got a 121*(194).

In an epic final ball finish, with an injured Neil Wagner at the other end, the Kiwi number 3's diving effort saved him from Asitha Fernando's direct hit to take them through.

3. England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test 1997 - 305 runs

In the third and final Test of England's 1997 tour of New Zealand, the visitors came to Christchurch with a 1-0 lead in the series. Having conceded an 118-run first innings lead, they needed to chase down 307 runs in a day and a half.

Captain Michael Atherton anchored their innings with a match-winning 118(311), but lost a wicket at a crucial juncture. They were reduced to 231/6, thanks to Daniel Vettori's 4 wickets, but John Crawley and Dominic Cork managed to build a 75-run stand for the 7th wicket and won them the match, and England clinched the series 2-0.

2. New Zealand vs Pakistan, 3rd Test 1994 - 324 runs

Having lost the first two Tests of the 1994 series vs Pakistan, the hosts needed to win the final Test to avoid a clean sweep at home. Following Saeed Anwar and Aamer Soahil's fifties and Basit Ali's 103 and 67, the Kiwis were asked to chase 324 runs in Christchurch and opener Bryan Young started with a resolute knock of 120(314), before being dismissed by Wasim Akram.

Alongside Young, all-rounder Shane Thompson also scored 120*(167) to take the team past the 324-run target on the final day of the Test, while others got starts but lost wickets at constant intervals.

1. West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st Test 1969 - 348 runs

In the first Test of the series in Auckland, West Indies needed 348 runs after they conceded a 47-run first innings lead to the hosts. WI lost openers Roy Fredricks and Joey Carew after getting a decent start at 122/2. The number 3 and number 4, Seymour Nurse and Basil Butcher stitched a 172-run partnership before the former was dismissed for 168, with 22 fours and 2 sixes to his name.

Butcher continued to bat with the lower middle-order and finished 78* at the end, and helped the Caribbeans chase 348 runs with 5 wickets spare and in just 69 overs. They chased down the target at a strike rate of 5.04, which is still considered a commendable task.