Top 7 teams with most 700+ totals in test cricket

Only one team has scored 700+ totals more than five times in test cricket.

Be it batting or bowling, it is the toughest in test cricket compared to white-ball formats. Here, a batter needs to have the technical soundness and skillset to score big runs against quality bowling attacks.

In the 147-year history of test cricket, there have been 26 instances when a team has scored over 700 runs in an innings. Scoring 700 runs in an innings is a huge feat for a team in this format as it puts the team in a commanding position. No team has ever lost a test match after piling up 700 runs in an innings.

There are a total of 12 test-playing nations, out of which seven have notched up 700 or more runs in an innings at least once. On that note, let’s take a look at teams who have recorded 700 or more runs in the longest format and how many times they have done it.

Teams with the most 700+ totals in test cricket:

7. New Zealand – 1 time

The New Zealand cricket team have made 700 or more runs one time in their test history till now. The Black Caps did it in the first test match against Bangladesh in March 2019 in Hamilton.

Kane Williamson’s fantastic 200* helped New Zealand post 715/6d. In reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 234 and 429. The hosts won the match by an innings and 52 runs.

6. Pakistan – 2 times

The Pakistan cricket team have made 700 or more runs in an innings two times in test cricket. Both of these tests ended in a draw.

Their highest-ever score in test cricket came during the first test match against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2005. Sri Lanka made 644/7d in the first innings. In reply, hosts Pakistan declared at 765/6 after Younis Khan played a classy knock and scored 313 runs. The match was drawn after Sri Lanka made 144/5 in the second innings.

Pakistan’s 700+ scores in tests:

1. 708 vs ENG, The Oval, 1987
2. 765/6d vs SL, Karachi, 2009

5. West Indies – 4 times

West Indies have notched up 700+ totals four times in test cricket till now. Out of these, they won one game, while the rest three matches were drawn. Their highest total came against Pakistan during a test match in Kingston in March 1958.

Batting first, Pakistan made 328 runs. In reply, the hosts made 790/3d after Garry Sobers scored 365*. Pakistan were then bundled out for 288 and lost the match by an innings and 174 runs.

West Indies’ 700+ scores in tests:

1. 790/3d vs PAK, Kingston, 1958
2. 751/5d vs ENG, St John’s, 2004
3. 747 vs SA, St John’s, 2005
4. 749/9d vs ENG, Bridgetown, 2009

4. Indian cricket team – 4 times

India have made 700 or more runs four times in test cricket. Out of these, India won two games while two matches were drawn.

Their highest score in tests came against England during the Chennai test in 2016. England made 477 runs in the first innings. In reply, Karun Nair hammered 303* and KL Rahul scored 199 as the duo guided India to 759/7. The hosts won the match by an innings and 75 runs.

India’s 700+ scores in tests:

1. 705/7d vs AUS, Sydney, 2004
2. 726/9d vs SL, Mumbai (Brabourne), 2009
3. 707 vs SL, Colombo (SSC), 2010
4. 759/7d vs ENG, Chennai, 2016

3. England – 4 times

England have achieved this feat of registering 700+ totals four times in the longest format of the game till now.

Their highest total came against arch-rivals Australia in 1938 at The Oval. In England’s first innings, opener Leonard Hutton slammed 364 runs, which guided his side to 903/7d. Australia made 201 and 123 as the hosts won the match by an innings and 579 runs.

England’s 700+ totals in tests:

1. 849 vs WI, Kingston, 1930
2. 903/7d vs AUS, The Oval, 1938
3. 710/7d vs IND, Birmingham, 2011
4. 823/7d vs PAK, Multan, 2024

2. Australia – 4 times

Talking about scoring 700 or more runs, Australia have achieved this iconic feat four times in their test history. The Aussies won all four of these matches.

Their highest total came against the West Indies in June 1955 in Kingston. West Indies made 357 in their first innings. In reply, Australia’s Neil Harvey’s 204-run knock guided his side to 758/8d. The hosts were then bundled out for 319 runs in their second innings and Australia won the match by an innings and 82 runs.

Australia’s 700+ scores in test cricket:

1. 729/6d vs ENG, Lord’s, 1930
2. 701 vs ENG, The Oval, 1934
3. 758/8d vs WI, Kingston, 1955
4. 735/6d vs ZIM, Perth, 2003

1. Sri Lanka – 7 times

Sri Lanka have scored the 700+ totals in test cricket seven times, the most by any team. Out of these matches, they won four, while the other three games were drawn.

Their highest score came against India in August 1997. Sanath Jayasuriya hammered 340 runs, which guided his side to 952/6 in the first innings. The match was drawn. This is also the highest total by any team in the longest format.

Sri Lanka’s 700+ scores in tests:

1. 952/6d vs IND, Colombo (RPS), 1997
2. 713/3d vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2004
3. 756/5d vs SA, Colombo (SSC), 2006
4. 760/7d vs IND, Ahmedabad, 2009
5. 730/6d vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
6. 713/9d vs BAN, Chattogram, 2018
7. 704/3d vs IRE, Galle, 2023

(All stats are updated till 10th October 2024.)

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