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As much of the cricketing focus in the world at the moment rests on what is to happen on Day 4 at the Oval between England and India as the series comes to a close but not before the contest being on the line, the mind reflects back on the time where different teams were able to come on top of challenging run totals at this very ground. And to tell you the truth of the contests at The Oval in red-ball cricket, a lot of exciting and inspiring results were achieved back in the day even before greats like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Shubman Gill, and the rising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal even broke into cricket in any competitive format. That being said, which are the top 5 highest successful run chase at The Oval, London in Test cricket?
Here's a List of the top 5 highest successful run-chases at The Oval in Test cricket History:
1. Target 263: England: 263/9 vs Australia in 1902
Over a century ago, actually 122 years ago, England's Test team created a memorable record that has in all these years stood the test of time - on being asked of chasing down 263 runs and that too, against arch-rivals Australia during cricket's golden old age. That was with The Oval witnessing the heroes of that era from the English side - Gilbert Jessop (104) scoring vital runs alongside George Hirst's 58 and Stanley Jackson's 49.
But credit to where it's due, England scaled a tall ask against an Australian line up featuring icons like the great Victor Trumper and Clem Hill.
2. Target 253: West Indies: 255/2 vs England (1963)
The West Indies scored 255 for 2 against England and thus achieved a challenging run chase that now stands among the top 5 highest successful run-chases at The Oval, London in Test cricket, something that happened in 1963. The winning stroke on that occasion coming by way of a boundary with 252 being the actual ask, saw the visitors scaling the the arduous ask with the legends Basil Butcher and Conrad Hunte at the crease until the end. The West Indies team of that era was captained by the iconic Sir Frank Worrell and had the great Rohan Kanhai, a player that even Gavaskar admires to this day, in the ranks.
3. Target 242: Australia: 242/5 vs England (1972)
Among the top 5 highest successful run chase at The Oval, London in Test cricket is the innings that Australia produced back in the year 1972, chasing down the ask of 242 with heroes like Keith Stackpole and Sir Ian Chappell scoring those useful knocks of 79 and 37, respectively against a bowling attack comprising Tony Greig, Derek Underwood and Geoff Arnold.
That was over five decades back in the day and if the present-day English team are to work up a miracle, they'd have to draw inspiration from this feat that happened at this very ground many moons ago.
4. Target 225: West Indies: 226/2 vs England (1988)
A Test match list comprising of successful run chases and that too, at the famed The Oval ground in England featuring the West Indies twice among the five all time successful mentions seems like a farcy from the present-era West Indies Test side, struggling and literally down in the dumps.
But the famous 226 for 2 that the Windies managed at The Oval back in the day against England happened in 1988, a period of time where someone like Courtney Walsh was a newcomer, Sir Viv Richards are still a potent and strong member of the side and men like Greenidge and Haynes commanded the team's top order.
5. Target 219: Sri Lanka: 219/2 vs England (2024)
One among the top 5 highest successful run chases at The Oval, London in Test cricket came back in 2024 for the visiting side Sri Lanka when at The Oval, the likes of Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Kumara produced outstanding efforts with the bat and ball, respectively to achieve a fine win at one of the most dominant cricketing venues in all of England.
Restricting England to 156 in their second inning with Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara, two fast bowlers that are hardly covered in international cricket all that much, left the hosts gasping for breath. Even on that occasion, it was Jamie Smith, who held onto his own for a bit against the marauding Lankans who would eventually produce a desirable and shall one say inspirational result for the underrated Lanka.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ):
Which has been the highest successful Test run-chase at The Oval in terms of runs?
England back in 1902 achieved a successful chase by scoring 263 runs against Australia.
What total has India set for England to be chased in the final innings of the Oval Test in the series?
England are set a target of 374 runs in the fourth innings of the game.
