Top 5 highest successful run chases at Old Trafford, Manchester in test cricket

Only four times a target over 200 has been chased successfully in test cricket at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Old Trafford, Manchester, is a popular cricket stadium in England, which hosts many international games every year. The hosts, England, have an impressive record at the stadium, particularly in test cricket.

England have played 84 tests at Old Trafford so far. Out of these, they won 33 matches and lost 15 games. 36 matches ended in a draw. Manchester is often considered a good wicket to score runs in first innings before it deteriorates. The highest-ever total at the venue in test cricket is 669/10 by England, which they registered against India in 2025.

Meanwhile, only four times a target over 200 has been successfully chased in test cricket at the venue and all of them have been achieved by the hosts over the years.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five highest successful run chases at Old Trafford, Manchester in test cricket.

Top 5 highest successful run chases at Old Trafford, Manchester in test cricket

5. South Africa – 145/7 vs England, 1955

Apart from England and Australia, South Africa are the only other team to successfully chase a target over 100 runs at the venue and occupy the fifth spot on this list. During the third test of a five-match series against England in 1955, the Proteas chased down a 145-run target. In the first innings, England slammed 284 runs with a century by Denis Compton.

South Africa then piled up a gigantic total of 521/8d, with centuries by captain Jackie McGlew, John Waite, and Paul Winslow. In the second innings, England posted 381 runs, courtesy of a century by skipper Peter May to set a target of 145 runs for South Africa, which they chased down with three wickets in hand.

4. England – 205/5 vs Sri Lanka, 2024

During the opening test of a series against Sri Lanka in 2024, England chased down a 205-run target at Old Trafford, Manchester. In the first innings, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 236 runs, and in response, England piled up 358/10 with a century by Jamie Smith.

In the second innings, Sri Lanka came up with a better batting show and managed to put 326 on the board, courtesy of a ton by Kamindu Mendis. England then had a target of 205 runs, and Joe Root scored an unbeaten half-century to drive the hosts to a victory by five wickets.

3. England – 231/3 vs West Indies, 2004

In 2004, the West Indies faced England in third test of a four-match series in Manchester. In the first innings, the visitors piled up 395/10 with half-centuries from three batsmen. England were then bowled out for 330 runs with a century by Graham Thorpe.

West Indies couldn’t do much in the second innings and were bowled out for just 165 runs, setting the hosts a target of 231 runs, which they chased by seven wickets in hand.

2. England – 277/7 vs Pakistan, 2020

England and Pakistan clashed in Manchester in the opening game of a three-match test series in 2020. Pakistan were bowled out for 326 runs in the first innings. The hosts then managed to score only 219, courtesy of a four-wicket haul by the visiting leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

In the second innings, England bowled out Pakistan for just 169 runs, setting themselves a target of 277 runs. Later, with half-centuries by Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes, the hosts chased down the target by three wickets.

1. England – 294/4 vs New Zealand, 2008

England once successfully chased down a 294-run target against New Zealand at Old Trafford, Manchester. During a clash in 2008, New Zealand piled up 381/10 in the first innings with an unbeaten ton by Ross Taylor.

Visiting spinner Daniel Vettori then ran through the hosts to bowl them out for 202. In the second innings, New Zealand failed to go big and managed to put only 114 on the board, setting the hosts a target of 294 runs.

Opener Andrew Strauss set the platform for England’s victory with his century. The hosts chased down the target by six wickets.

(All stats updated till 26th July, 2025)

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