Top 3 highest innings totals in Test history

England ended their first day of the only test against Zimbabwe with 498 runs on the board. With the new Baz-Ball technique adopted by the English, runs have come at a quick pace for the Three Lions. With the newfound mantra that England have been playing Test cricket, fans are wondering can Ben Stokes’ side can become the first ever team to score 1000 runs in Test cricket?

The English side recently scored the fourth-highest total in Test cricket during their Pakistan tour in 2024. England had scored a massive 823 for the loss of seven wickets before declaring their innings. Harry Brook had scored his maiden Test triple ton while Joe Root had also scored a double century.

Here are the top 3 team totals in Test cricket

3- England -849 vs West Indies – 1930 in Jamaica

In 1930, England scored a massive 849 in their first innings of the Jamaica Test against the West Indies. Andy Sandham’s 325 and 149 by Les Ames helped England post this huge total on the board. The hosts in reply were all out for just 286 and saw England score 272/9 in their second innings. West Indies chasing 836 to win scored 408 for five in their second dig as the game ended in a draw. George Headley scored 223 from 385 with 28 hits to the fence.

2- England -903/7 vs Australia -1938 in Oval

It was England who became the first side to go past 900 runs on the board in the Test format. Sir Len Hutton scored 364 off 847 balls and batted close to 800 minutes and hit 35 fours in his innings. Maurice Leyland and Joe Hardstaff also scored centuries for the home team. In reply, Australia were all out for 201 and 123 to lose the game by an innings and 579 runs.

1- Sri Lanka – 952/6 vs India – 1997 in Colombo

The highest score in Test cricket belongs to Sri Lanka, who came 48 runs short of becoming the first side to score 1000. The game against India saw Sanath Jayasuriya score 340 runs while Roshan Mahanama hit 225. Aravinda De Silva scored 126 off 211 balls while Arjuna Ranatunga and debutant Mahela Jayawardene scored fifties. It was India who had batted first and scored 578 on the board with skipper Sachin Tendulkar scoring 143, as Navjot Singh Sidhu and Mohammad Azharuddin scored centuries as well.

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