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Proteas Script History! Highest Successful Run Chases In Test Cricket At Lord’s

Aakash Saini

Highest successful run-chases in Tests at Lord's [Source: @cricketcomau/x]Highest successful run-chases in Tests at Lord's [Source: @cricketcomau/x]

Often referred to as the ‘Home of Cricket’, the iconic Lord’s in London stands as a timeless symbol of tradition, prestige and cricketing excellence. Yet, beneath its hallowed surface lies a pitch that grows increasingly treacherous as a Test match unfolds, particularly in the fourth innings.

Chasing runs here demands not only technical precision but immense mental fortitude, as teams battle both a wearing track and the weight of history. Celebrating South Africa’s latest heist against Australia to lift the WTC 2025 mantle, here is a look at five of the highest successful run-chases ever pulled off at Lord’s.

5. England 218-3 vs New Zealand in 1965 (Target: 216)

England cruised to a comprehensive seven-wicket win against New Zealand at Lord’s in London back in June 1965. Chasing 216 runs in the decisive innings of the match, opener Geoff Boycott composed a fighting 76 at the top of the order, while Ted Dexter anchored the innings upon his arrival at 70-2 with an unbeaten 80. Their collective brilliance helped England overcome their 216-run target in just 60.5 overs on Day 5 with seven wickets in hand, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead over John Reid’s New Zealand in the process.

4. England 279/5 vs New Zealand in 2022 (Target: 277)

In one of the earliest demonstrations of England’s ‘BazBall’ approach in run-chases, the hosts pulled off a 277-run heist against New Zealand at Lord’s back in June 2022. Ushering a new no-holds-barred era under the charismatic leadership of all-rounder Ben Stokes, senior Englishman Joe Root pounded 115* runs from just 170 balls with 12 elegant boundaries, while captain Stokes flogged 54 with five fours and three huge sixes to counterattack the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson.

Overall, England secured a majestic five-wicket victory by racing to 279-5 in just 78.5 overs, maintaining a controlled run rate of 3.53 on a challenging Lord’s surface.

3. South Africa 282/5 vs Australia in 2025 (Target: 282)

In perhaps the grandest stage of all, at the most iconic venue, South Africa chased down 282 runs to win the WTC 2025 title in June against an experienced Australian attack, one which comprised the likes of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. A hitherto low-scoring Test, Proteas opener Aiden Markram defied logic, conditions, opponent and a potential king-pair by composing 136 regal runs from 207 balls with 14 boundaries.

Markram’s 147-run partnership with captain and half-centurion Temba Bavuma paved way for South Africa’s five-wicket on Day 4, as the Proteas ended their decades-long wait of bringing home a prominent ICC silverware.

2. England 282/3 vs New Zealand in 2004 (Target: 282)

In May 2004, England consigned New Zealand to a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat despite chasing 282 runs on a Day 5 Lord’s surface. Following the early departure of then captain and opener Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss fought off New Zealand’s resistance with a cunning 83. Nasser Hussain at number four unfurled the innings of the match with an unbeaten 103* from 204 balls, all while sharing a match-winning 139-run partnership with half-centurion Graham Thorpe for the fourth wicket.

England chased down their target during the final few moments of play to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series against Stephen Fleming and co.

1. West Indies 344/1 vs England in 1984 (Target: 342)

A formidable West Indies batch of 1984 pummeled hosts England by nine wickets at Lord’s in London. After conceding a handy 41-run lead to England, West Indies were set a record target of 342 runs with less than a day intact in the game.

As it turned out, then opener Gordon Greenidge pulled out one of the greatest run-chase knocks of all time with an authoritative 214* from 242 balls, clattering 29 fours and two sixes in the process. Number three Larry Gomes also punched out 92* from 140 balls as the two cricketers shared an unbroken 287-run partnership for the second wicket to steer West Indies home in just 66.1 overs with nine wickets to spare.