Top 10 Largest Margins Of Test Victory In Cricket World | ICC Updates

July 30, 2021 By Sourav

When cricket is played, it’s a battle of a kind on the field, as the teams fight it out. Bowlers trying to hit the wicket, batsmen defending the wickets and making some big score, fielders running about to stop the runs and get the batsmen out: these are what keep the audience glued to the match. Test matches are a little slower, considering the fact that the matches are spread over a span of 5 days. And, the world has already witnessed several largest margins of test victory.

Largest Margins of Test Victory | All-Time Ranking

Unlike ODI matches, test matches also have the chance of ending in a draw. But, in matches that have a clear winner or loser, the margins may be just like in ODI matches: sometimes close, due to strong competition, and sometimes huge, when one team absolutely overtakes another match. Here is a list of the 10 Largest Margins of Test Victory. Let’s take a look at the short match summaries.

10. England

The 2nd test match of the 1974 India in England Test Series began on 20th June 1974. It was played between England and India at one of the biggest cricket stadiums, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London.

England won the toss and chose to bat first, and made a total of 629 runs losing all 10 wickets in 182.5 overs. After this, they declared their first innings.

India, while chasing the target, scored 302 runs in the first innings with their 10 wickets down in 101.5 overs.

They scored just another 42 runs in 17 overs losing all their wickets in the second innings after the follow-on. England achieved a one-of-a-kind victory against India on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 285 runs.

9. New Zealand

The 1st test match of the 2005 New Zealand in Zimbabwe Test Series started on 7th August 2005. It was played between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club Ground, Harare.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field first. New Zealand made a total of 452 runs with their 9 wickets down in just 89 overs. After this, they declared their first innings.

Zimbabwe, while chasing the target, scored just 59 runs in the first innings with their 10 wickets down in 29.4 overs, and scored another 99 runs in 49.5 overs with all their wickets lost in the second innings after the follow-on.

New Zealand achieved a breathtaking victory against Zimbabwe on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 294 runs.

8. New Zealand

The 1st test match of the 2012 Zimbabwe in New Zealand Test Series began on 26th January 2012 and was played between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at the McLean Park Stadium, Napier.

Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to field first, and New Zealand made a total of 495 runs, losing their 7 wickets in 123.4 overs, after which they declared their first innings.

Zimbabwe, while chasing the target, scored just 51 runs in the first innings, losing their 10 wickets in 28.5 overs, and scored another 143 runs in 48.3 overs, losing their 10 wickets in the second innings after the follow-on.

New Zealand reached a fantastic victory against Zimbabwe on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 301 runs.

7. West Indies

The 1st test match of the 2002 West Indies in Bangladesh Test Series started on 8th December 2002 and was played between West Indies and Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka.

West Indies won the toss and elected to field first, and Bangladesh lost all 10 wickets in their first innings within just 139 runs in 54.1 overs.

West Indies, while chasing the target, scored 536 runs in the first innings with their 10 lost wickets in 160 overs, after which they declared their innings.

Bangladesh, on their second innings during the run chase, scored just another 87 runs in 31.5 overs, losing their 10 wickets. West Indies achieved an astounding victory against Bangladesh on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 310 runs.

6. West Indies

The 2nd test match of the 1995 West Indies in the New Zealand Test Series began on 10th February 1995. It was played between West Indies and New Zealand at the Basin Reserve Stadium, Wellington.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first, and made a total of 660 runs losing their 5 wickets in 169.2 overs, after which they declared their first innings.

New Zealand, while chasing the target, scored 216 runs in the first innings with all their wickets down in 84.4 overs, and scored just another 122 runs in 40.2 overs with their 10 wickets in the second innings after the follow-on.

West Indies achieved a glorious victory against New Zealand on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 322 runs.

5. Pakistan

The 1st test match of the 2002 New Zealand in Pakistan Test Series started on 1st May 2002. It was played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first.

They made a total of 643 runs with their 10 wickets down in 157.5 overs. Pakistan then declared their first innings.

New Zealand, while chasing the target, scored just 73 runs in the first innings with all 10 wickets in 30.2 overs. They then scored another 246 runs with all 10 wickets in 76.3 overs in the second innings after the follow-on.

Pakistan clinched a one-of-a-kind victory against New Zealand on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 324 runs.

4. Australia

The 1st test match of the 1946 Ashes series began on 29th November 1946. It was played between Australia and England at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane.

Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. They made a total of 645 runs losing their 10 wickets in 158.6 overs. And then, they declared their first innings.

England, while chasing the target, scored just 141 runs in the first innings with their 10 wickets lost in 61.5 overs. They scored another 172 runs, losing their 10 wickets in 43.7 overs in the second innings after the follow-on.

Australia achieved an amazing victory against England in the Ashes Series and won the test match by an innings and 332 runs.

3. West Indies

The 3rd test match of the 1958 West Indies in India Test Series started on 31st December 1958. It was played between India and West Indies at the Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata.

West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first. They made a total of 614 runs with 5 lost wickets in 162.1 overs. After that, they declared their first innings.

India, while chasing the target, scored just 124 runs in the first innings with all their wickets down in 62.5 overs. They scored another 154 runs, losing all 10 wickets in 49 overs in the second innings after the follow-on.

West Indies bagged a glorious victory against India on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 336 runs.

2. Australia

The 1st test match of the 2002 Australia in South Africa Test Series began on 22nd February 2002. It was played between South Africa and Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. They made a total of 652 runs, losing their 7 wickets in 146 overs. And then, they declared their first innings.

South Africa scored 159 runs in the first innings with their entire 10 wickets down in 48 overs. They scored another 133 runs with their wickets down in 38.3 overs in the second innings after the follow-on.

Australia emerged victorious against South Africa on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 360 runs.

1. England

The 5th test match of the 1938 Ashes series started on 20th August 1938. It was played between England and Australia at the Kennington Oval cricket ground, London. England won the toss and opted to bat first.

They made a total of 903 runs with their 7 wickets down in 335.2 overs. After this, they declared their first innings.

Australia, while chasing the target, scored 201 runs in the first innings with their 10 wickets gone in 52.1 overs. They scored another 123 runs, losing all 10 wickets in 34.1 overs in the second innings after the follow-on.

England achieved a marvelous victory against Australia on that occasion and won the test match by an innings and 579 runs.

Final Words

These test matches are some of the most memorable ones in the history of test cricket. For the winning teams, these matches are the ones they are most certainly proud of, as they have overtaken the opponents in the most dramatic ways, and reduced even good teams to the point of licking the dust. And now, we hope that you liked our list of the 10 Largest Margins of Test Victory in Cricket.