Top 5 highest first innings team totals in Test cricket

A test match, like the other two formats of cricket has its own charm and a certain things are decisive when it comes to the result of a test match. For instance, a big first innings lead on the third day of the test match might point out a clear winner while two big totals in the first two innings of a match would imply a draw between the two teams.

The first innings totals play pivotal roles in defining the way, a match would progress and since time immemorial, teams toil hard to post big totals and put the opposition under pressure. Some of them though, are unnecessarily huge. 

5. Pakistan 765/6

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Karachi (21^st February-25^th February 2009)

Image Source Cricinfo.com

After Sri Lanka posted a massive 644 on a flat Karachi pitch after stellar double centuries from the experienced duo of Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera, it was time for Pakistan to create history. The openers fell early in pursuit of an improbable first innings lead and in came, Pakistan’s veteran, consistent Younis Khan who dropped anchor at the crease. He continued to bat as he lost partners at the other end, getting his century and then a double before Kamran Akmal started to torment the Sri Lankan bowlers. Younis got to his first triple century and Kamran Akmal finished at 158 as Pakistan posted the fifth highest innings total in test cricket. The match ended in an obvious draw.

4.West Indies 790/3

West Indies vs Pakistan, Kingston (26^th February to 4^th March 1968)

This was a six-day test match where a fearsome West Indies were pitted against inexperienced Pakistan who were expected to be thrashed. Pakistan still managed to score in excess of 300 after a century from Imtiaz Ahmed. Wallis Mathias and Saeed Ahmed hit fifties as Pakistan posted 328. West Indies, then thrashed the Pakistan bowlers as the legendary duo of Sir Conrad Hunte and Sir Gary Sobers scored 260 and 365 respectively and propelled West Indies to a score of 790 as they went on to win the match by dismissing Pakistan for 288 in the second innings! What a galloping effort!

3.England 849

Image Source The Guardian.com

West Indies vs England, Kingston (3^rd April to 12^th April 1930)
This was one of the few timeless test matches that was forced to be drawn after 9 days of toiling play! After choosing to bat, the English batsmen faced no trouble from the Australian bowlers whatsoever as Andy Sandham scored a triple century and Les Ames scored 149 off just 174 balls; England posted a score of 849 in their first innings! The match ended in a draw as both teams continued to bat through and ended up playing 9 days of test cricket. Quite a bit of patience, one would reckon!

2.England 903/7

England Cricket Team stands here at 2nd position with their highest score of 903/7. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

England vs Australia, the Oval (20^th August- 24^th August 1938)

This was another timeless test match but in stark contrast to the one mentioned earlier, as it produced a result in just 4 days. England won the toss and chose to bat as Sir Leonard Hutton decided to go ultra defensive. He scored a triple century and ended up scoring 364 after facing, as many as 847 balls! Maurice Leyland was the second highest run-scorer of the innings with 187 runs against his name and Joe Hardstaff Jr. remaining unbeaten at 169 as England posted 903 with the loss of seven wickets before bowling out Australia twice and winning the timeless test match!

1. Sri Lanka 952/6

Sri Lankan placers celebrate as they reach to No. 1 spot in the list of highest team totals in test matches. (Photo Source: ESPNcricinfo Ltd )

Sri Lanka vs India, Colombo (2^nd August to 6^th August 1997)

India posted a huge score of 537 in the first innings after centuries from attacking Navjot Singh Siddhu, the stylish Hyderabadi Mohammad Azharuddin and a young Sachin Tendulkar. The pitch had nothing to offer for the bowlers as the Sri Lankan batsmen realized that the only way to save the match was to draw it. Most of their batsmen dropped anchor as Sanath Jayasuriya score a triple century and Roshan Mahanama hit a double to propel Sri Lanka to a total that still remains the highest first innings score by a team, in a test match but the total would not have been complete without a lesser talked about but beautifully crafted century by Aravinda de Silva and half centuries from Ranatunga and Mahela in the lower middle order.

Source:http://www.crictracker.com