Top 10 Greatest Test Innings of All Time
In this article, we are going to take a look at the top 10 batting performances in Test cricket as defined in the Wisden 100, a set of lists created and released in 2001 by Wisden in an attempt to objectively rate the best individual performances in Tests.
Contents
- 1. Donald Bradman’s 270 for Australia against England in Melbourne in the 1936-37 season:
- 2. Brian Lara’s 153 not out for the West Indies against Australia in Bridgetown in the 1998-99 season:
- 3. Graham Gooch’s 154 not out for England against the West Indies in Leeds in 1991:
- 4. Ian Botham’s 149 not out for England against Australia in Leeds in 1981:
- 5. Donald Bradman’s 299 not out for Australia against South Africa in Adelaide in the 1931-32 season:
- 6. VVS Laxman’s 281 for India against Australia in Kolkata in the 2001-02 season:
- 7. Clem Hill’s 188 for Australia against England in Melbourne in the 1897-98 season:
- 8. Azhar Mehmood’s 132 for Pakistan against South Africa in Durban in the 1897-98 season:
- 9. Kim Hughes’s 100 for Australia against the West Indies in Melbourne in the 1981-82 season:
- 10. Brian Lara’s 375 for the West Indies against England in St. John’s in the 1993-94 season:
1. Donald Bradman’s 270 for Australia against England in Melbourne in the 1936-37 season:
In the 3rd Test of a series in January 1937 on England’s tour of Australia, Australia batted first and scored 200/9 declared. In reply, England made 76/9 declared. Bradman’s epic innings that included a 6th-wicket stand of 346 with Jack Fingleton helped Australia to a score of 564, leaving England 689 to get to win. In their second outing, England could make only 323, paving the way for a 365-run win for Australia.
6.6. VVS Laxman’s 281 for India against Australia in Kolkata in the 2001-02 season:
tting first in the 2nd match of a series on their tour of India in March 2001, Australia made 445 before bowling out India for 171. Following on, India were reduced to 97/2 when Laxman took guard at the crease. After the score had further deteriorated to read 232/4 Laxman shared a stand of 376 with Dravid, helping India to declare at a score of 657/7. Chasing 384 to win, Australia were bowled out 212, rendering India the winners by 161 runs.
7.7. Clem Hill’s 188 for Australia against England in Melbourne in the 1897-98 season:
sts Australia batted first in the 4th Test of a series on England’s tour of Australia in January 1898. Batting at number 3, Hill saw the innings collapse around him to leave Australia floundering at 58/6. With partnerships of 165, 60 and 20 shared with Trumble, Kelly and Jones, Hill helped his side to a score of 323. Replying, England were bowled out for 174. Following on, England made 263 in their second knock to leave Australia needing 115 to win, a target that the hosts achieved with 8 wickets to spare.
8.8. Azhar Mehmood’s 132 for Pakistan against South Africa in Durban in the 1897-98 season:
tting first in the 2nd Test of their tour of South Africa in March 1998, Pakistan were reduced to 89/5 when Mehmood took guard. After the further deterioration of the score to 153/8, Mehmood shared a 9th-wicket stand of 80 with Akhtar to rescue Pakistan to 259. Set 255 to win in the fourth innings, South Africa were 225 all out, rendering Pakistan the winners by 29 runs.
9.9. Kim Hughes’s 100 for Australia against the West Indies in Melbourne in the 1981-82 season:
m Hughes began batting with Australia reduced to 8/3 in the first innings of the 1st match of a series on the West Indies’ tour of Australia in December 1981. Hughes shared a 6th-wicket stand of 56 with Rod Marsh to help Australia to a score of 198. The West Indies, set 220 to win in the 4th innings, collapsed to be 161 all out, paving the way for a 68-run victory for Australia.
1010. Brian Lara’s 375 for the West Indies against England in St. John’s in the 1993-94 season:
tting to the crease after the early loss of opener Stuart Williams in the 5th Test of a series on England’s tour of the West Indies held in April 1994, Lara went on to break the 36-year-old record for the highest score in Tests set by Garry Sobers. The hosts declared their innings at 593/5 when Lara was out. Replying, England made an identical score of 593. The West Indies were 43/0 in their second knock when the umpires brought the curtain down on a drawn encounter.
7. Clem Hill’s 188 for Australia against England in Melbourne in the 1897-98 season:
sts Australia batted first in the 4th Test of a series on England’s tour of Australia in January 1898. Batting at number 3, Hill saw the innings collapse around him to leave Australia floundering at 58/6. With partnerships of 165, 60 and 20 shared with Trumble, Kelly and Jones, Hill helped his side to a score of 323. Replying, England were bowled out for 174. Following on, England made 263 in their second knock to leave Australia needing 115 to win, a target that the hosts achieved with 8 wickets to spare.8.8. Azhar Mehmood’s 132 for Pakistan against South Africa in Durban in the 1897-98 season:
tting first in the 2nd Test of their tour of South Africa in March 1998, Pakistan were reduced to 89/5 when Mehmood took guard. After the further deterioration of the score to 153/8, Mehmood shared a 9th-wicket stand of 80 with Akhtar to rescue Pakistan to 259. Set 255 to win in the fourth innings, South Africa were 225 all out, rendering Pakistan the winners by 29 runs.
9.9. Kim Hughes’s 100 for Australia against the West Indies in Melbourne in the 1981-82 season:
m Hughes began batting with Australia reduced to 8/3 in the first innings of the 1st match of a series on the West Indies’ tour of Australia in December 1981. Hughes shared a 6th-wicket stand of 56 with Rod Marsh to help Australia to a score of 198. The West Indies, set 220 to win in the 4th innings, collapsed to be 161 all out, paving the way for a 68-run victory for Australia.
1010. Brian Lara’s 375 for the West Indies against England in St. John’s in the 1993-94 season:
tting to the crease after the early loss of opener Stuart Williams in the 5th Test of a series on England’s tour of the West Indies held in April 1994, Lara went on to break the 36-year-old record for the highest score in Tests set by Garry Sobers. The hosts declared their innings at 593/5 when Lara was out. Replying, England made an identical score of 593. The West Indies were 43/0 in their second knock when the umpires brought the curtain down on a drawn encounter.
9. Kim Hughes’s 100 for Australia against the West Indies in Melbourne in the 1981-82 season:
m Hughes began batting with Australia reduced to 8/3 in the first innings of the 1st match of a series on the West Indies’ tour of Australia in December 1981. Hughes shared a 6th-wicket stand of 56 with Rod Marsh to help Australia to a score of 198. The West Indies, set 220 to win in the 4th innings, collapsed to be 161 all out, paving the way for a 68-run victory for Australia.1010. Brian Lara’s 375 for the West Indies against England in St. John’s in the 1993-94 season:
tting to the crease after the early loss of opener Stuart Williams in the 5th Test of a series on England’s tour of the West Indies held in April 1994, Lara went on to break the 36-year-old record for the highest score in Tests set by Garry Sobers. The hosts declared their innings at 593/5 when Lara was out. Replying, England made an identical score of 593. The West Indies were 43/0 in their second knock when the umpires brought the curtain down on a drawn encounter.
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