Batting in Test cricket is an uphill task. Batters have to grind on the pitch to earn their runs.
And when they do, they make sure to post a mountain of runs, tiring out the opponent’s bowling attacks.
In over 150 years of Test cricket history, we have witnessed teams marching their way to mammoth totals.
Here, we’ll look at the 5 highest team totals recorded in Test cricket.
5. West Indies: 790/3d vs Pakistan | Kingston, 1958
In 1958, the West Indies were hosting Pakistan for a 5-match series, they were in the third Test played at Kingston. The hosts were leading 1-0 in the series, and they blasted their way to a massive total to make it 2-0.
Pakistan decided to bat first and mustered 328 runs before getting all out. In response, the Windies went on to bat for the next 3 days, giving no respite to the visiting bowlers.
Sir Garfield Sobers led the charge with an unbeaten 365, which included 38 fours. Conrad Hunte accompanied Sobers well, scoring 260 runs.
Their masterclass helped the West Indies post their highest team total in Tests, which is overall the fifth. The hosts declared their innings closed on 790 for 3, which lasted for 208.1 overs.
4. England: 823/7d vs Pakistan | Multan, 2024
England’s 823 is the latest entry to the list. They plundered this massive score against Pakistan on a flatter deck in Multan in 2024.
The home side also showed their batting mettle in the first innings, scoring 556 runs. But England’s mighty effort swept their performance in a whisker.
Harry Brook pulled off the second-fastest triple hundred, scoring a brilliant 317-run knock. Joe Root assisted from the other end as he scored 262 runs.
Zak Crawley (78) and Ben Duckett (84) also chipped in, boosting England’s total to 823 for 7.
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3. England: 849 vs West Indies | Kingston, 1930
England are back again, and so does Kingston. The Jamaican venue witnessed an absolute dominance from England in the timeless Test.
England’s top order put on a crackling performance along with valuable contributions from the lower order. Opener Andy Sandham scored 325 off 640 balls, while wicketkeeper Les Ames amassed 149 in 174 balls.
These 2 chief architects pushed England’s score to 849, making them the first team to surpass 800 runs in Tests.
2. England: 903/7d vs Australia | The Oval, 1938
England brought the best out of themselves and marched ahead of their 849-run tally. They made Australian bowlers helpless, accumulating the first-ever 900-plus total in Tests.
England decided to bat first and stormed their way to 903 for 7 before declaring their innings. Opener Leanard Hutton scored 364 runs in 847 balls, while No. 3 Maurice Leyland amassed 187 off 438.
Joe Hardstaff further bolstered their total, scoring an unbeaten 169 runs while coming to bat to No. 7. Looking at that tall score, Australia surrendered in both their batting essays and conceded a defeat by an innings and 579 runs.
1. Sri Lanka: 952/6d vs India | Colombo, 1997
In 1997, Sri Lanka rewrote history books by accruing the highest-ever team total in Test cricket. The Sri Lankans achieved this staggering feat against the neighbouring Indian team.
India batted first and declared their innings on 537 for 8. Captain Sachin Tendulkar led from the front, scoring 143, followed by Mohammad Azharuddin’s 126 and Navjot Sidhu’s 111.
In response, the Lankans came down heavily, with their explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya leading the charge. The left-hander smashed, with Roshan Mahanama scoring his double ton (225) and Aravinda de Silva scoring 126 runs.
Captain Arjun Ranatunga also chipped in with 86, along with debutant Mahela Jayawardene, who scored 66. This massive effort propelled Sri Lanka to an unassailable score of 952 for 6.
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