Test cricket is the purest and most demanding format in the game, and among its most compelling feats are the greatest successful run chases. These monumental performances test the limits of endurance, technique, and mental strength. While scoring big in the fourth innings is notoriously difficult, there have been rare occasions where teams have mounted colossal comebacks to register some of the greatest successful run chases in cricket history.
Below, are the Top 10 Greatest Successful Run Chases of all time in Test Cricket.
10. Pakistan – 555/3d vs Sri Lanka
Pakistan’s historic chase at Karachi in 2019 was a fine example of grit and skill. After conceding a first-innings lead, they came back strongly to post a match-winning total of 555/3 declared. This feat ranks among the greatest successful run chases because it highlighted the young Pakistani batting lineup’s resurgence, with stellar performances from Abid Ali and Shan Masood. The ease with which they chased the target despite pressure adds weight to this being one of the greatest successful run chases in modern Test cricket.
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| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 555/3d | Karachi | 19 Dec 2019 | vs Sri Lanka |
9. Australia – 564 vs England
In 1937, Australia showcased one of the earliest examples of the greatest successful run chases when they amassed 564 runs in the third innings at Melbourne. Facing a potent English bowling attack and a massive deficit, the Australian batting unit put on a masterclass of application and technique. This performance reflected the team’s never-say-die attitude and remains one of the greatest successful run chases in the annals of Ashes cricket.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 564 | Melbourne | 1 Jan 1937 | vs England |
8. South Africa – 569 vs Australia
At the W.A.C.A. in Perth, South Africa produced one of the most aggressive and calculated greatest successful run chases in 2012. Known for its bouncy pitch, the ground offered little help to batters, but Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, and Graeme Smith combined to demolish the Australian bowling lineup. Their 569-run total came at an extraordinary run rate, and their confidence and aggression make this one of the greatest successful run chases of the modern era.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 569 | W.A.C.A | 30 Nov 2012 | vs Australia |
7. Australia – 578 vs South Africa
In 1911, Australia achieved a monumental total of 578 at the MCG, showcasing one of the oldest greatest successful run chases. Playing against South Africa, the Australian side dominated proceedings with bat and ball. Their ability to rack up such a massive score in those early days of cricket without modern equipment is a testament to their exceptional talent and resilience, earning it a place among the greatest successful run chases in Test history.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 578 | Melbourne | 17 Feb 1911 | vs South Africa |
6. Australia – 581 vs England
Another pre-World War classic saw Australia chase down 581 in the 1920 Sydney Test against England. It was a breathtaking match that reaffirmed Australia’s dominance during the early 20th century. The pitch wasn’t as developed, and batting was tougher in those days, which is why this feat is still hailed as one of the greatest successful run chases.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 581 | Sydney | 17 Dec 1920 | vs England |
5. Australia – 582 vs England
Australia makes another entry with their sensational 582-run chase at Adelaide in 1921. This period was a golden era for Australian cricket, and the match epitomized their fierce Ashes spirit. Dominating England, Australia’s run fest again qualifies as one of the greatest successful run chases due to the sheer scale and consistency shown throughout the innings.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 582 | Adelaide | 14 Jan 1921 | vs England |
4. New Zealand – 585/4d vs Sri Lanka
In 2018, New Zealand’s batting display against Sri Lanka in Christchurch was nothing short of clinical. They racked up 585/4 declared in a match that turned on its head. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham’s composure under pressure was pivotal in one of the greatest successful run chases by the Kiwis. Their chase, marked by control and aggression, ranks among the greatest successful run chases in recent memory.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 585/4d | Christchurch | 26 Dec 2018 | vs Sri Lanka |
3. Pakistan – 599/7d vs India
The Karachi Test in 2006 saw Pakistan put up a massive 599/7 declared in a performance filled with elegance and domination. Against arch-rivals India, it was more than just a match—it was a statement. Featuring powerful knocks from Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, the match is one of Pakistan’s greatest successful run chases and remains one of the highest in their Test history.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 599/7d | Karachi | 29 Jan 2006 | vs India |
2. South Africa – 620 vs Australia
South Africa’s epic run chase of 620 in Johannesburg in 1966 is a timeless tale of persistence. Against an Australian side known for its grit, South Africa batted with an intensity that stunned the world. The performance wasn’t just about numbers; it was about character and fight, placing this effort high on the list of the greatest successful run chases of all time.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 620 | Johannesburg | 23 Dec 1966 | vs Australia |
1. India – 657/7d vs Australia
Topping the list is India’s unforgettable victory in the 2001 Eden Gardens Test. Down and almost out, following on, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid stitched one of the most memorable partnerships in cricket history. Their 657/7 declared turned the match—and the series—on its head. It wasn’t just a match; it was a resurrection. This performance is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the greatest successful run chases in Test cricket history.
| Score | Ground | Start Date | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 657/7d | Eden Gardens | 11 Mar 2001 | vs Australia |
These greatest successful run chases are more than statistics—they are chapters of grit, strategy, and unforgettable drama that define Test cricket’s enduring allure. Whether it was India’s miraculous comeback, South Africa’s bold statement, or Australia’s early-century dominance, each performance is a testament to the spirit of the game.
FAQs
Q1. What is considered the greatest successful run chase in Test cricket?
India’s 657/7d against Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001 is widely considered the greatest successful run chase due to the context and magnitude of the comeback.
Q2. Which team has recorded the most entries in the list of greatest successful run chases?
Australia appears multiple times in the list, showcasing their long-standing ability to chase massive totals under pressure.
Q3. Why are these chases labeled as the greatest successful run chases?
These chases are termed the greatest due to factors such as the total chased, quality of the opposition, match pressure, and historical significance.
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