The highest partnerships in women’s Tests stand as shining examples of teamwork, resilience, and batting excellence in the longest format of the game. These record-breaking stands not only showcase the individual brilliance of the batters involved but also highlight the importance of understanding, communication, and strategic play between partners. From hard-fought, match-saving efforts on bowler-friendly pitches to commanding displays on true batting surfaces, the highest partnerships in women’s Tests have showcased remarkable skill, patience, and determination.

Each stand tells a story of two batters uniting with a shared purpose, weathering pressure, and capitalizing on opportunities to build monumental totals. These partnerships have not only shaped the outcomes of matches but have also etched their place in cricketing history. Spanning different eras, teams, and playing conditions, they exemplify the evolution of women’s cricket and continue to serve as timeless inspirations for players and fans striving for excellence in the longest format.

Here are the Top 10 Highest Partnerships in Women’s Tests:

10. CA Hodges & JA Brittin – 207 Runs (2nd Wicket)

The 10th entry in the list of highest partnerships in women’s Tests came during the 1986 clash between England Women and India Women at Worcester. England, having lost an early wicket, needed stability at the crease, and Carole Hodges joined forces with Jan Brittin to provide exactly that. Facing a disciplined Indian bowling attack led by Diana Edulji, the duo initially batted cautiously, respecting the early swing and seam movement. Once they found their rhythm, the boundaries began to flow more frequently. Their partnership became the backbone of England’s first innings.

The pitch at Worcester had a grassy tinge, offering help to seamers in the early hours, but as the match progressed, it flattened out into an excellent batting surface. Hodges and Brittin capitalized on the slower afternoon session, rotating the strike brilliantly and keeping the scoreboard ticking. India tried introducing spin to break the stand, but the pair countered with ease, displaying excellent footwork and placement.

When the stand ended at 207, England firmly seized control of the match. More than just a collection of runs, this partnership showcased remarkable resilience, patience, and composure under challenging circumstances. It demonstrated how two batters, working in harmony, could completely alter the course of a game. As one of the notable entries in the history of highest partnerships in women’s Tests, it stands out for its ability to shift momentum entirely in England’s favor and set the tone for eventual success.

England Women vs India Women – Worcester, 12 July 1986

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
207	England Women	India Women	12 Jul 1986

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9. M Jones & J Broadbent – 220 Runs (4th Wicket)

The 9th place on the chart of highest partnerships in women’s Tests belongs to Melinda Gainsford Jones and Joanne Broadbent, who batted with supreme authority against England at Guildford in 1998. Coming in at a moment when Australia was in a slightly tricky position after losing early wickets, the pair built their innings methodically. The English seamers found some movement with the new ball, but once the shine wore off, the Australians took charge.

Jones was the aggressor, finding gaps and punishing anything short or wide, while Broadbent played the anchor role, frustrating the bowlers with her patience. The Guildford pitch was a batter’s paradise once set, and the duo made sure they cashed in fully. By lunch on the second day, they had erased England’s early advantage, piling runs at a steady rate.

Their partnership eventually reached 220, a stand that shattered the morale of the English side. Even after Broadbent’s dismissal, Australia kept a firm grip on the contest. This memorable effort is remembered among the highest partnerships in women’s Tests for the way two contrasting batting styles blended seamlessly, balancing aggression and patience, and showcasing how effective teamwork can decisively influence the outcome of a high-stakes Test match.

Australia Women vs England Women – Guildford, 6 August 1998

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
220	Australia Women	England Women	6 Aug 1998

8. LA Larsen & DA Annetts – 222 Runs (4th Wicket)

Ranked eighth in the highest partnerships in women’s Tests, Lisa Larsen and Denise Annetts’ stand against England in 1992 was a masterclass in patient accumulation. Coming together when Australia needed stability, they played risk-free cricket, grinding down the English bowlers. The North Sydney pitch was slow, which meant timing the ball was a challenge, but both batters adapted superbly.

Larsen, known for her solid defensive technique, frustrated the opposition bowlers, while Annetts was quick to seize scoring opportunities. England tried various bowling combinations, including changes in field settings, but the Australians kept finding ways to keep the runs flowing. Their concentration levels were remarkable, with both batters rarely playing false shots.

When the stand was finally broken at 222, Australia had moved into a commanding position. This innings remains a textbook example of batting partnerships that wear down opposition attacks — a hallmark of many of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests. It wasn’t flashy, but it was ruthlessly effective.

Australia Women vs England Women – North Sydney, 19 February 1992

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
222	Australia Women	England Women	19 Feb 1992

7. RL Haynes & JM Fields – 229 Runs (6th Wicket)

At number seven in the highest partnerships in women’s Tests is the extraordinary 229-run stand between Rolton Haynes and Jodie Fields in 2009. Australia found themselves in deep trouble early on, losing half their side cheaply against a fired-up England pace attack in swinging conditions. But the middle order had other ideas.

Haynes took charge, counterattacking the seamers with precision drives and cuts, while Fields provided stability from the other end. The partnership not only rescued Australia but also demoralized England, who had been dreaming of a quick first-innings finish. Their running between the wickets was equally impressive, turning ones into twos and keeping constant pressure on the fielders.

By the time England finally broke through, Australia’s total had swelled dramatically. This stand was unique because it came for the sixth wicket, proving that the highest partnerships in women’s Tests aren’t always about top-order dominance — sometimes, they are forged in the heat of a crisis.

Australia Women vs England Women – Worcester, 10 July 2009

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
229	Australia Women	England Women	10 Jul 2009

6. EA Snowball & ME Hide – 235 Runs (2nd Wicket)

The sixth entry in the list of highest partnerships in women’s Tests takes us back to the early days of women’s cricket, where Betty Snowball and Myrtle Hide put together a colossal 235-run stand in Christchurch in 1935. This was only the fourth women’s Test in history, making the feat even more remarkable.

On a flat batting track with minimal assistance for the bowlers, the pair batted with a mix of flair and discipline. Snowball, one of the most aggressive batters of her generation, peppered the boundary with crisp drives, while Hide anchored the innings with classical technique. The New Zealand attack, although spirited, struggled to break the partnership as the batters rotated strike effortlessly.

Their partnership laid the foundation for a commanding England victory. In the context of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests, this innings is remembered not only for its size but also for the pioneering role it played in showing the potential of women’s cricket in the pre-war era.

England Women vs New Zealand Women – Christchurch, 16 February 1935

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
235	England Women	New Zealand Women	16 Feb 1935

5. Sajjida Shah & Kiran Baluch – 241 Runs (1st Wicket)

At number five in the highest partnerships in women’s Tests is the brilliant 241-run opening stand between Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch for Pakistan Women against West Indies in Karachi in 2004. This innings was remarkable not only for the sheer number of runs but also for the dominance displayed by the home side from the very first ball. Facing a relatively inexperienced West Indies attack, the duo quickly seized control.

Kiran Baluch, who would go on to score a then-world-record 242 in the same innings, played with majestic authority, driving fluently and punishing any loose deliveries. Sajjida Shah provided ideal support, working the ball into gaps and ensuring steady progress without taking unnecessary risks. Their running between the wickets was sharp, reflecting excellent communication and understanding.

By the time the partnership ended, Pakistan had completely dictated terms, with the West Indies bowlers visibly out of ideas. This stand is remembered as a defining moment in Pakistan’s women’s cricket history and a landmark in the highest partnerships in women’s Tests, particularly because it came from a team that was still developing on the world stage.

Pakistan Women vs West Indies Women – Karachi, 15 March 2004

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
241	Pakistan Women	West Indies Women	15 Mar 2004

4. KL Rolton & LC Broadfoot – 253 Runs (4th Wicket)

Fourth place in the highest partnerships in women’s Tests belongs to Karen Rolton and Lisa Broadfoot, who produced a match-defining 253-run stand against England at Leeds in 2001. Coming together with the score in a precarious position, the duo turned the game on its head through a combination of skill, patience, and determination. England’s early wickets had given them hope, but Rolton and Broadfoot extinguished it.

Rolton was in sublime touch, playing drives, cuts, and pulls with equal mastery, while Broadfoot provided rock-solid support, never allowing the bowlers to settle into a rhythm. The Leeds pitch, which had assisted seamers on the first day, had flattened out considerably, allowing the batters to dictate the pace of play.

When the stand was finally broken at 253, Australia had taken an unassailable grip on the match. This innings is still celebrated as one of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests for its resilience and its ability to shift the entire trajectory of the contest in Australia’s favor.

Australia Women vs England Women – Leeds, 6 July 2001

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
253	Australia Women	England Women	6 Jul 2001

3. PG Raut & MDT Kamini – 275 Runs (2nd Wicket)

In third place among the highest partnerships in women’s Tests is the 275-run stand between Punam Raut and Thirush Kamini in Mysore in 2014. India had started solidly but lost an early wicket, bringing Raut and Kamini together. What followed was an exhibition of concentration and technical mastery against a South African attack that struggled to find answers.

Kamini was the more aggressive of the two, using her strong footwork to tackle both pace and spin effectively. Raut, on the other hand, anchored the innings with her solid defence and precise placement, ensuring that South Africa’s bowlers had to toil hard for every opportunity. The Mysore pitch was slow and low, which suited their style perfectly.

By the time their partnership ended, India had built a massive platform for a commanding total. This innings remains one of the most memorable examples in the history of highest partnerships in women’s Tests, not only for the number of runs scored but for the complete control the batters exerted over the match.

India Women vs South Africa Women – Mysore, 16 November 2014

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
275	India Women	South Africa Women	16 Nov 2014

2. Shafali Verma & Smriti Mandhana – 292 Runs (1st Wicket)

The second-highest entry in the highest partnerships in women’s Tests belongs to Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, whose 292-run stand against South Africa in Chennai in 2024 was a breathtaking blend of aggression and elegance. Opening the innings in hot and humid conditions, the duo wasted no time in taking the attack to the bowlers.

Shafali was at her destructive best, smashing boundaries at will and forcing the bowlers to constantly change their plans. Mandhana, with her signature timing and placement, complemented Shafali perfectly, ensuring that the scoreboard ticked over without reckless risks. South Africa’s bowlers, despite their experience, were rendered ineffective on a batting-friendly surface.

When the stand finally ended just short of 300, India had not only taken firm control but also entertained the crowd with one of the most dominating batting performances in recent memory. This innings is destined to be remembered as a benchmark in the list of highest partnerships in women’s Tests for its sheer entertainment value and clinical execution.

India Women vs South Africa Women – Chennai, 28 June 2024

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
292	India Women	South Africa Women	28 Jun 2024

1. LA Reeler & DA Annetts – 309 Runs (3rd Wicket)

Topping the list of highest partnerships in women’s Tests is the monumental 309-run stand between Lindsay Reeler and Denise Annetts for Australia Women against England Women at Wetherby in 1987. This was an innings of pure dominance, where the pair batted England entirely out of the game. Coming together after an early wobble, they built their stand steadily before accelerating in the latter stages.

Reeler played with authority, dispatching anything short or overpitched, while Annetts anchored the innings with her characteristic patience. The Wetherby pitch was flat and true, offering little to the bowlers, and the Australians took full advantage. England rotated their bowlers frequently, but nothing could break the concentration of the pair.

By the time the partnership ended, Australia were in an impregnable position. This stand is widely regarded as the gold standard in the history of highest partnerships in women’s Tests — a combination of skill, mental toughness, and flawless teamwork that has stood the test of time for nearly four decades.

Australia Women vs England Women – Wetherby, 21 August 1987

Runs	Team	Opposition	Date
309	Australia Women	England Women	21 Aug 1987

FAQs

Q1: Why are partnerships so important in the context of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests?
Partnerships are the backbone of any strong batting performance, and in the context of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests, they represent not just the accumulation of runs but also the ability to build pressure on the opposition. A big stand often turns the tide of a match, demoralizing bowlers and creating a platform for victory. Such partnerships demand concentration, mutual trust, and a clear understanding between batters — qualities that are essential at the Test level.

Q2: Which teams dominate the list of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests?
Australia and England dominate the historical charts of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests, largely due to their longer involvement in women’s Test cricket and the depth of talent in their batting line-ups. India has made significant inroads in recent years, with memorable stands like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s 292-run opening partnership showcasing their growing stature. Pakistan’s inclusion with Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch’s 241-run stand shows that other nations have also produced world-class partnerships.

Q3: How do pitch conditions affect the likelihood of making it into the list of the highest partnerships in women’s Tests?
Pitch conditions play a critical role in shaping the highest partnerships in women’s Tests. Flat tracks with little assistance for bowlers generally lead to bigger partnerships, as seen in Wetherby 1987 or Chennai 2024. Conversely, green tops or pitches with uneven bounce make long stands rarer. Weather conditions, ball quality, and even the pace of outfields can influence how easily runs come, which is why the truly great partnerships are those achieved under challenging conditions.

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