Top 3 teams with highest run rate in a Test 

The modern-day cricket has seen teams adapt to challenging situations quickly, even if it demands playing at very quick rates in Test cricket. Teams today don’t shy away from playing big shots and getting quick runs if it helps them swing the result in their favour, rather than playing for a draw. Here we look at some of the instances where the teams have played with high run rates in Test matches. 

Here are the top teams with highest run rate in a Test (Both innings combined)

3. 6.73- ENG vs PAK, Rawalpindi, 2022 

The match between England and Pakistan saw well over 1700 runs being scored, which is the highest aggregate for the two teams. Batting first, England saw four centurions. Zak Crawley (122 of 111), Ben Duckett (107 of 110), Ollie Pope (108 of 104), and the standout Harry Brook (153 of 116) helped them get a total of 657 runs in 101 overs. 

In the next innings, Pakistan scored 579 runs, handing the visitors a 78-run lead. The Ben Stokes-led side, staying true to the “Bazball” approach, scored 264 with Crawley, Joe Root, and Brook each scoring half-centuries before declaring. They went on to win the match by 74 runs.

2. 6.80- SA vs ZIM, Cape Town, 2005 

In the first Test of the series in Cape Town, Zimbabwe had a horrible start as Jacques Kallis (4 wickets), Shaun Pollock (3 wickets), and Makhaya Ntini (3 wickets) combined to wreak havoc on the visitors. Zimbabwe were restricted to a meagre score of 54 runs in the first innings. 

The home side followed it up with a brilliant batting display in the next innings. Graeme Smith led the pack with his knock of 121 runs in 107 balls and AB de Villiers missed the hundred-run mark by just two runs. However, Kallis’ 25-ball 54 helped South Africa register a score of 340/3 in just 50 overs. They eventually won the match by an innings and 21 runs.

1. 736- IND vs BAN, Kanpur, 2024 

The match shortened to less than 2 days, saw India completely change their approach and go all out to try and win the match. After Mominul Haq’s century had powered Bangladesh to 233 runs, Yashasvi Jaiswal came out with all guns blazing to score 72 runs in 51 balls. He was well supported by Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, who also played quick knocks to get a total of 285 and a lead of 52 runs. 

A brilliant bowling display by India then kept the visitors to a score of 146, with the target being 95 runs. Jaiswal once again was at the helm of affairs as he scored 51 runs in 45 balls to guide India through. India won the all-important match by 7 wickets.  

Disclaimer: This exclusive news is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and intuition. While reviewing this information, consider the points discussed and form your own conclusions.