It doesn’t get any tougher than batting in the 4th innings in England, and most of the teams have found it very difficult to cope up with the 4th innings pitch. There are chances of the pitch getting deteriorated and cracking up. The seam bowlers get more purchase from the wicket as well, and they become more potent. Many times, the side batting on the final innings succumbed to a collapse very early.
With a note on that, here are the top 10 highest 4th innings total in England in Tests.
#10 India 376 vs England – Old Trafford, 1959
In the 4th Test in the tour of England, India managed to script a valiant effort in the huge run chase in the fourth innings. England batted first at Old Trafford and scored 490 in the first innings. In reply, India could muster just 208 in their first innings, giving England a stiff hold of the game. In the third innings, England batted superbly again and set up a humongous target of 548 for the Indian team. It looked nearly impossible; however, India tried their best, scoring 376 in the fourth innings. As a result, England won the Test and dominated the series with a lead of 4-0 already in the five-match Tests.
#9 England 378 vs India – Edgbaston, 2022
The term “Bazzball” is introduced in this period. Even though teams have started adapting to the modern way of Test cricket to go for the win in the last innings of a Test match rather than settling for a draw, England, under their new coach Brandon McCullum is very much ahead of others. They went for the kill right from the start and didn’t bow out when wickets started falling. They looked like a different team in Test match chases.
While India was ahead in the first four days of the Birmingham Test (the match was rescheduled due to Covid issues), England completely ruled the last innings. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root made centuries and extended the worthy start their openers (Alex Lees and Zak Crawley) provided to a fantastic win over the visitors to draw the series 2-2.
#8 West Indies 394 vs England – Old Trafford, 2007
In the 2007 tour of England, West Indies put up a spirited effort intending to draw the series in their last innings. It started with England winning the toss and electing to bat first. England scored 370 in their first innings, which was a good total at Old Trafford. In reply, West Indies scored just 229 in their first innings, giving 141 runs lead to England. The big lead ensured that England set up a big total to chase down for the West Indies. With a target of 455 to chase down, The West Indies almost crossed the line and eventually were heartbroken to lose the Test by 60 runs. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, one of the top 10 overseas batsmen to play in England, stayed unbeaten at 116 in the losing chase. Monty Panesar was adjudged the man of the match for his 10 wicket haul in the Test.
#7 India 397 vs England – Lords, 2002
This Test will be ed for Ajit Agarkar, who brought up his only international century against England at Lords. England won the toss and opted to bat first. They started the series well, scoring 487 in their first innings. In reply, India scored just 221 runs and struggled to get going. England used the opportunity and set up a massive total of 568 to chase down. However, India did get into the act with 397 in their final innings, and Agarkar proved his all-around abilities in the Test, staying unbeaten on 109. Nasser Hussain was adjudged the man of the match for a century in the first innings.
#6 Australia 402 vs England – Old Trafford, 1981
This was the fifth Test in the six-match Test tour in 1981 for Australia to England, and they did impress with an excellent fight in the fourth innings. England opted to bat first after winning the toss at Old Trafford. The hosts were bundled out for 231 in the first innings by Australia. However, Australia couldn’t take advantage and managed just 130 in their first innings. With a lead of 101 runs, England set Australia a target of 506 in the fourth innings. Australia came close with 402 in their final innings but lost the Test by 203 runs.
#5 Australia 404 vs England – Headingley, 1948
A high-scoring game in the 4th Test in 1948 tour of England, Australia staged a terrific 4th innings chase. England started with 496 on the board in their first innings. In reply, Australia did come close and finished with 458. In their third innings, England declared, setting a total of 404 to win for the visitors. Australia remarked an unbelievable chase and won the Test by 7 wickets. Don Bran and Arthur Morris top-scored for Australia in the 404-runs chase, which still stands as the highest ever successful 4th innings chase in England soil.
