Top 9 teams with most 600+ totals in test cricket

Only two teams have scored totals of 600 or more in test cricket over 30 times.

Batting in test cricket tests the technical, physical and mental levels of the batsmen. One of the jaw-dropping events in the longest format is when a team piles up 600 runs in an innings. This achievement reduces the chances of the team losing the match to almost nil; no team has ever lost a test match after scoring 600 runs in an innings.

It requires a collective effort of the players, wherein multiple batters reach three figures, for a team to breach the 600-run mark.

There are a total of 12 test playing nations, out of which only nine have scored 600 runs in an innings at least once. On that note, let’s take a look at how many times each of these nine teams has attained this feat.

Teams with the most totals of 600 or more in test cricket:

9. Bangladesh cricket team – 1 time

The Bangladesh cricket team have managed to breach the 600-run mark just once in the longest format. Bangladesh scored 638 runs in their first innings against Sri Lanka in the first test in Galle in March 2012.

Mohammad Ashraful (190), Nasir Hossain (100), and Mushfiqur Rahim (200) registered centuries to take their side to 638 runs. The test ended in a draw.

8. New Zealand cricket team – 11 times

The New Zealand cricket team have scored 600 runs or more 11 times in test cricket. Out of these 11 tests, they won four and the rest seven were drawn.

New Zealand’s highest test score came during the first test match against Bangladesh in March 2019 in Hamilton. Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 200-run guided the Black Caps to 715/6d. In reply, Bangladesh were all out for 234 and 429. The hosts won the match by an innings and 52 runs.

7. South Africa cricket team – 13 times

South Africa have scored 600 runs or more 13 times in the longest format. Of these tests, they won 11 matches and two tests were drawn.

During the second test against England at Lord’s in 2003, South Africa notched up their highest score in test cricket. Graeme Smith’s fantastic 259 helped his side to 682/6d. Proteas won the match by an innings and 92 runs.

6. Pakistan cricket team – 15 times

The Pakistan cricket team have scored 600 runs or more 15 times in test cricket. Out of these, they won four matches, while 11 were drawn.

Their highest test score came during the first test match against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2009. Younis Khan’s 313 propelled Pakistan to 765/6d. The match was drawn.

5. Sri Lanka cricket team – 16 times

Sri Lanka have produced a few of the greatest test batters who helped them raise 600+ totals 16 times. Out of these, the Island Nation won eight tests, while seven were drawn.

Their highest score in the longest format came against the Indian cricket team in August 1997. Lanka declared at 952/6 after Sanath Jayasuriya slammed 340 runs in the first innings. The match was drawn. This is also the highest total by any team in test cricket.

4. West Indies cricket team – 20 times

In the fourth place on this list, we have the West Indies cricket team, who have notched up 600 or more runs in an innings in the longest format 20 times, out of which they won nine tests and 11 ended in draws.

Their highest innings total came during the third match against Pakistan in 1958 in Kingston. Pakistan scored 328 runs in their innings. In reply, West Indies declared at 790/3. Batting second, Pakistan were bundled out for 288 and lost the match by an innings and 174 runs.

3. England cricket team – 22 times

England played the first test match in 1877. Since then, they have notched up 600+ totals 22 times, out of which the Three Lions won 11 matches and were part of 10 drawn tests.

Their highest score came against Australia in 1938 at The Oval. In the first innings, opener Leonard Hutton’s 364 runs helped England score 903/7 before declaring the innings. Australia scored 201 and 123 as England won by an innings and 579 runs.

2. Indian cricket team – 33 times

India have scored 600+ plus totals 33 times in test cricket. Out of these, the Asian giants won 18 matches and 15 were drawn.

Talking about their highest score, it came against England during the fifth test match in Chennai in 2016. England made 477 runs in their first innings. In reply, middle-order batter Karun Nair slammed 303* and KL Rahul hit 199, which guided the hosts to 759/7. India won the match by an innings and 75 runs.

1. Australia cricket team – 34 times

Australia have scored the most totals of 600 runs or more in the longest format of the game. Australia have breached the 600-run mark 34 times in test cricket. Out of these, they won 28 tests and only six were drawn.

Their highest score came against the West Indies at Kingston in June 1955. West Indies scored 357 runs in their first innings. In reply, Neil Harvey slammed 204 runs and helped Australia to post 758/8d.

The West Indies were bundled out for 319 runs in their second innings as Australia won the match by an innings and 82 runs.

(All stats updated till 10th October, 2024)

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