Top 5 highest fourth innings totals in Test cricket history

There have been some memorable fourth-innings matches in Test cricket where teams have tested the limits of their abilities, endurance, and faith. Over the years, supporters have experienced many exhilarating moments when chasing or salvaging a match under duress.

A few outstanding performances where batting units defied circumstances and expectations can be found among these masterpieces. Here are the top five highest fourth-innings totals in Test history, demonstrating the longest format's tenacity, temperament, and never-say-die mentality.

Top 5 highest fourth innings totals in Test cricket history:

The fifth-highest fourth-innings total in Tests came when Pakistan hammered 450 in the chase of 490 runs against Australia at Brisbane in 2016. Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb’s centuries helped Australia put up 429 in the 1st innings, and Pakistan was bowled out for 142. Australia made 202/5d in the second innings, with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith hitting fifties and setting Pakistan 490 runs to win. Pakistan almost achieved the target, as Asad Shafiq made 137 and Azhar Ali and Younis Khan made fifties. Mitchell Starc took four wickets as Australia bowled Pakistan out for 450 and won the game by 39 runs.

South Africa and India played a thrilling Test in Johannesburg in 2013. India made 280 in the 1st innings with Virat Kohli slamming 119, and South Africa replied with 244. Cheteshwar Pujara made 153, and Kohli made 96 as India posted 421 in the second innings, setting South Africa 458 runs to win. South Africa went very near to the win, thanks to Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers hitting centuries, and only shut shop fearing a loss, ending with 450/7m, drawing the match with 8 runs to win.

In third spot comes New Zealand’s great effort against England in 2002 in Christchurch. England made 228, with Nasser Hussain scoring a ton, and bowled New Zealand out for 147 as Matthew Hoggard took seven wickets. Graham Thorpe made 200, and Andrew Flintoff slammed 137 as England declared on 468/6, setting New Zealand 550 runs to win. With nothing to lose, Nathan Astle launched a scathing attack on England bowlers, scoring 222 in 168 balls with 11 sixes and 28 fours, hitting the fastest double ton in Test history. New Zealand made 451, losing the game by 98 runs.

At second place comes West Indies’ spirited effort against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2025. New Zealand made 231 in the first innings, and the West Indies replied with 167. New Zealand slammed 466/8d, with Tom Latham making 145 and Rachin Ravindra making 176, setting West Indies 531 runs to win. Shai Hope made 140 after the Windies lost early wickets, but Justin Greaves’ 202* and Kemar Roach’s 58* helped the West Indies make 457/6 and draw the match.

At the top position comes England, who made 600-plus runs against South Africa in the 1939 Durban Test to draw the match. Pieter van der Bijl and Dudley Nourse made centuries to power South Africa to 530 runs, and England replied with 316, with Eddie Paynter and Les Ames making fifties. South Africa hammered 481 in the second innings, with Alan Melville making a ton, and set England 696 to win the game. England almost won the game, thanks to 219 by Bill Edrich and centuries by Paul Gibb and Wally Hammond, taking the visitors to 654/5 as the match ended in a draw.

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