9 Instances of teams scoring identical first innings totals in test cricket

There have been only nine instances of teams scoring identical first innings totals in test cricket.

Test cricket is the oldest and the purest format of the game and has been played for more than 145 years. But still this format keeps on surprising the cricketing world. There have been a few amazing instances in cricket, which have excited the fans.

With a test cricket match spanning five days, the key focus is to score more runs than opposition. That is why it is very rare to see identical scores by both participating teams in first innings of a test cricket match.

But the game has seen such games where both teams finished with identical scores in their innings of a test match. This article will highlight all those instances recorded in test cricket.

Instances of teams scoring identical first innings totals in test cricket

1. South Africa vs England – 199 runs, Durban, 1910

The first such instance was recorded back in 1910 at Durban in the game between South Africa and England. Batting first, South Africa were bowled out for 199 in 106.5 overs. In reply, England had a great opening stand of 94 runs between Jack Hobbs (53) and Wilfred Rhodes (44). But, Bert Vogler (5/83) ran through the batting order, and England were bowled out for 199. South Africa did well in the second innings and scored 347 runs and then dismissed England for 252 to win the game by 95 runs.

2. India vs West Indies – 222 runs, Kanpur, 1958

The test between India and West Indies in 1958 in Kanpur saw both the teams scoring same number of runs in the first innings. Captain Gerry Alexander (70) led West Indies to 222 in the first innings. Former Indian spinner Subhash Gupte registered a record bowling spell of 9/102 in the first innings.

India then started well and were at 184/3 at one stage, but lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs to get all out for 222 runs. Garry Sobers (198) slammed a brilliant century in the second innings, and West Indies declared at 443/7. India managed to score 240 and lost the game by 203 runs.

3. New Zealand vs Pakistan – 402 runs, Auckland, 1973

New Zealand and Pakistan had one such moment in Auckland during a test in 1973. Majid Khan’s century (110) helped Pakistan score a healthy total of 402 runs in 117.5 overs. New Zealand innings also saw centuries from Rodney Redmond (107) and Brian Hastings (110), making 402 runs in 91 overs. In the second innings, Pakistan scored 271, and New Zealand were at 92/3, and the game ended in a draw.

4. West Indies vs Australia – 428 runs, Kingston, 1973

During the Kingston test in 1973, Australia declared their first innings at 428/7 after three batters scored half-centuries. Maurice Foster (125) scored a century for the West Indies, and they also finished with the same score of 428 in their first innings. Australia batted and declared at 260/2 in the second innings, with Keith Stackpole (142) scoring a hundred. During the chase, West Indies were at 67/3 when the game ended in a draw.

5. England vs India – 390 runs, Birmingham, 1980

During the Birmingham test between England and India in 1980, both teams had identical first innings scores. Captain Mike Gatting (183) scored a hundred, and England made 390 runs in 116.3 overs. In reply, India had a great contribution throughout, and they also managed 390 runs in 139.5 overs. England then scored 235 runs in the second innings, and India were at 174/5 when the game was called a draw.

6. West Indies vs England – 593 runs, St. John’s, 1994

The highest identical first-innings score ever came in a game between the West Indies and England in 1994 at St. John’s. Brian Lara scored the then highest individual score of 375 runs in that innings, and West Indies declared at 593/5. Robin Smith (175) and captain Mike Atherton (135) scored centuries for England, and they also scored 593 runs in their innings. The game was drawn eventually with the hosts scoring 43 runs in the second innings.

7. West Indies vs Australia – 240 runs, St. John’s, 2003

During a game between West Indies and Australia at St. John’s in 2003, both teams recorded identical first-innings scores. Jermine Lawson’s 7/78 helped the hosts dismiss Australia for 240 runs. The West Indies also had an average batting display, and they also scored 240 runs in 65.3 overs.

Justin Langer (111) and Matthew Hayden (177) helped Australia score 417 runs in the second innings. The West Indies then successfully chased the target of 417 runs in the fourth innings with centuries from Ramnaresh Sarwan (105) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104), and registered the highest successful run-chase in test cricket history.

8. England vs New Zealand – 350 runs, Leeds, 2015

England and New Zealand also produced one such moment at Leeds in 2015. Tom Latham (84) and Luke Ronchi (88) helped New Zealand score 350 runs in the first innings. Adam Lyth (107) and Alastair Cook (75) added 177 runs for the first wicket, but England also had a batting collapse, and they also scored 350 runs. Later, New Zealand declared at 454/8 in the second innings and set the hosts a target of 455 runs.

However, they bowled out England for 255 to win the game by 199 runs.

9. England vs India – 387 runs, Lord’s, 2025

The most recent instance was recorded at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London during a test between England and India in 2025. It was a very tight game, and both teams scored 387 runs in their respective first innings. Joe Root (104) and KL Rahul (100) scored centuries for their respective teams. After the first three days, the game was very even.

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