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In the ongoing BAN vs IND Test match, India have set a huge target of 513 runs for Bangladesh to win this game. Although India have a upper hand over Bangladesh in this game but many viewers are curious to know, has any team chased down a target of more than 500 runs in Test cricket history so far?
Which teams have chased down the highest ever target in 4th innings of a Test game? We will have a look at answers to those questions here in this article.
Highest total by a team in 4th innings of a Test match:
- ENG - 654/5 vs SA in Durban, 1939 - Timeless game
- NZ - 451 vs ENG in Christchurch, 2002
- SA - 450/7 vs IND in Johannesburg, 2013
- PAK - 450 vs AUS in Brisbane, 2016
- IND - 445 vs AUS in Adelaide, 1978
Another point to be noted is none of the above five instances have come in a winning cause. Thus, we will have a look on Test matches where teams have chased down a score of 400 runs (or) more in 4th innings of a Test match.
1. Australia vs England at Leeds, 1948
England team set a huge target of 404 runs for Australia in the 4th innings and they won by 7 wickets with the help of brilliant unbeaten century (173*) from Aussie skipper Don Bradman and their opening batsman Arthur Morris (182) respectively. England team posted a total of 496 in their 1st innings and took a lead of 38 runs against the Aussies. England team scored 365/8 in their 2nd innings and announced declaration thinking this total to be much sufficient but Australian side created history by becoming first team to chase down a target of 400-plus runs in Test cricket.
2. India vs West Indies at Port of Spain, 1976
West Indies were a big threat for the Indian side in 1970s time and especially in this game they were asked to chase down a huge total of 403 runs in 4th innings. Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar (102) and Gundappa Viswanath (112) smashed centuries and helped their side to beat the might Caribbean side by 6 wickets at that time. West Indies team posted 359 runs in their 1st innings and took a lead of 131 runs against India. West Indies team smashed 271/6 in their 2nd innings and announced declaration after getting a huge lead of 402 runs but Sunil Gavaskar-Gundappa Viswanath pair created history by chasing that total.
3. West Indies vs Australia at St. John's, 2003
West Indies hold the record for chasing the highest ever target (418) in Test cricket history. West Indies chased this huge total with the help of brilliant centuries from Ramnaresh Sarwan (105) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104). In this game both Australia and West Indies scored same 240 runs in their 1st innings. Australia in their 2nd innings smashed a huge total of 417 runs with the help of huge opening partnership between Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden but duo of Sarwan and Chanderpaul created world record in Test cricket by chasing down 418 runs with 3 wickets to be spared.
4. South Africa vs Australia at Perth, 2008
South African side chased down 414 runs with 4th innings with the help of centuries from their skipper Graeme Smith (108) & Mr. 360 AB de Villiers (106*) respectively. Australia posted 381 runs in their 1st innings and took a lead of 94 runs against the Proteas team. Australian team later in their 2nd innings posted 319 runs with the help of brilliant batting from Brad Haddin but all their effort ended in vain as South Africa emerged as winners in this game. AB de Villiers-JP Duminy's 111 run partnership for 5th wicket also played a key role to win this game for them.