Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships in Test cricket are among the most surprising—and emotionally charged chapters in the game’s history. While Test cricket is widely regarded as the purest format, where drama unfolds over five days and momentum shifts endlessly, it’s these last-wicket stands that often steal the spotlight with their unexpected brilliance.
The last pair of batters is expected to fold quickly, not spark revivals. Yet, when a No. 10 and No. 11 defy the odds, it sends ripples through cricketing folklore. These partnerships redefine resilience, frustrate opponents, and occasionally rescue or even win matches. In this article, we look at the Top 10 Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships in Test cricket history, standout performances where the tail wagged long and hard.
10. Jack Taylor & Arthur Mailey – 127 Runs vs England (1924)
In the ashes of 1924, Mailey, a spinner and Taylor, a lower-order bat, stunned England with a 127-run stand in Sydney. While their contributions are long forgotten, this partnership carved out a lasting memory in the annals of the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM Taylor, AA Mailey | 127 | Australia | England | Sydney | 19 Dec 1924 |
9. Ken Higgs & John Snow – 128 Runs vs West Indies (1966)
Two bowlers turned batting heroes, Higgs and Snow’s 128-run partnership, shocked the Caribbean team and the Oval crowd. This gritty, old-school rearguard effort remains one of England’s finest and continues to feature among the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships of all time.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K Higgs, JA Snow | 128 | England | West Indies | The Oval | 18 Aug 1966 |
8. Reginald Foster & Wilfred Rhodes – 130 Runs vs Australia (1903)
A throwback to early Test cricket, this 130-run stand helped England recover at a time when pitches were treacherous and batting technique was still evolving. Foster and Rhodes’ resilience and skill in that era made this partnership one of the earliest entries in the record books for Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE Foster, W Rhodes | 130 | England | Australia | Sydney | 11 Dec 1903 |
7. Sachin Tendulkar & Zaheer Khan – 133 Runs vs Bangladesh (2004)
Even in a game dominated by Tendulkar’s masterclass (248*), it was his 10th wicket partnership with Zaheer Khan that added unexpected flair. The duo added 133 runs, with Zaheer playing some cheeky strokes. This partnership remains India’s best and one of the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships globally.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR Tendulkar, Z Khan | 133 | India | Bangladesh | Dhaka | 10 Dec 2004 |
6. Wasim Raja & Wasim Bari – 133 Runs vs West Indies (1977)
The 1970s West Indies pace attack was feared worldwide. But in 1977, Wasim Raja and Wasim Bari stood tall (literally and metaphorically) to stitch a crucial 133-run stand. Against all odds, this pair not only held off fire but also launched counterpunches, earning a historic place among the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Raja, Wasim Bari | 133 | Pakistan | West Indies | Bridgetown | 18 Feb 1977 |
5. Denesh Ramdin & Tino Best – 143 Runs vs England (2012)
A match remembered for Tino Best’s entertaining 95, the West Indies’ 10th wicket partnership with Ramdin was a delightful cocktail of flair and fight. It frustrated England and propelled the West Indies to a much higher total than anticipated. It also ranks among the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships in modern cricket.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D Ramdin, TL Best | 143 | West Indies | England | Birmingham | 7 Jun 2012 |
4. Azhar Mahmood & Mushtaq Ahmed – 151 Runs vs South Africa (1997)
On a dusty Rawalpindi pitch, Azhar Mahmood and Mushtaq Ahmed’s 151-run partnership was a vital rescue act. With Pakistan in trouble, this stand ensured a respectable total. Both batters counterattacked brilliantly against a disciplined South African attack, etching their names among the Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azhar Mahmood, Mushtaq Ahmed | 151 | Pakistan | South Africa | Rawalpindi | 6 Oct 1997 |
3. Brian Hastings & Richard Collinge – 151 Runs vs Pakistan (1973)
New Zealand’s cricketing history is filled with underdog stories, and this partnership fits right in. Hastings and Collinge, facing a fiery Pakistan bowling unit, stitched together a gritty 151-run stand. This effort not only helped New Zealand recover but also became one of the earliest entries in the elite list of Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BF Hastings, RO Collinge | 151 | New Zealand | Pakistan | Auckland | 16 Feb 1973 |
2. Phil Hughes & Ashton Agar – 163 Runs vs England (2013)
In one of the most memorable Ashes moments, debutant Ashton Agar, batting at No. 11, combined with Phil Hughes for a stunning 163-run stand. Australia were 117/9 and staring at humiliation, but Agar’s 98 off 101 balls turned the tide. This partnership not only became the second Highest 10th Wicket Partnership, but also left cricket fans worldwide in awe of the young spinner’s batting flair.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PJ Hughes, AC Agar | 163 | Australia | England | Nottingham | 10 Jul 2013 |
1. Joe Root & James Anderson – 198 Runs vs India (2014)
In a historic display at Trent Bridge, Joe Root and James Anderson rewrote history by scripting the Highest 10th Wicket Partnership in Test cricket. England were in deep trouble at 298/9, but what followed was nothing short of miraculous. Root farmed the strike masterfully, while Anderson showed solid technique and immense grit, scoring a career-best 81. Their stand of 198 runs demoralised India and turned the match on its head.
Stats Table:
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JE Root, JM Anderson | 198 | England | India | Nottingham | 9 Jul 2014 |
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