Top 10 teams with most 500+ totals in test cricket

Australia have scored most 500+ totals in the history of test cricket.

With batters dominating the current era of cricket, 400-500 plus scores have become a new normal in test cricket. When test cricket began in 1877, bowlers were dominating the game for a long time. But now the momentum has shifted towards batters and big totals have become an easy task. The formation of T20 cricket has also brought a big change in the dimensions of the game.

Australia and England played the first-ever test match in 1877 at MCG. It took seven years for a team to breach the 500-run mark in an innings in this format of the game. Australia were the first team to score more than 500 runs in an innings in test cricket. This came at The Oval in 1884 against England. Let’s have a look at the top 10 teams with most 500+ totals in test cricket.

10. Zimbabwe – 5 :

Zimbabwe might not be regular these days in in test cricket, but in the 90s they were a formidable unit in international cricket. Zimbabwe have scored 500 plus scores in tests only five times. They won two test matches out of five occasions and the rest of the three ended in a draw. Zimbabwe’s highest score in tests is 563/9, which came against West Indies at Harare Sports Club in 2001.

9. Bangladesh – 11 :

Bangladesh made their test debut in 2000 against India, but their first 500-plus total in tests came in 2012 against West Indies at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. From there on, Bangladesh have scored 500 plus in an innings on 11 occasions in tests. Bangladesh won four test matches out of those 11 games and lost twice. Their highest total in test cricket is 638, which came against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013.

8. Sri Lanka – 40 :

Sri Lanka have so far scored 500 plus totals in test cricket 40 times since their test debut in 1982. Sri Lanka’s first ever 500 plus total in tests came against Australia in 1992 at SSC Colombo. They scored 547 runs but lost the match. Sri Lanka have won 27 test matches and lost only once in the matches when they scored above 500 in an innings in tests. Sri Lanka’s highest ever total in test cricket is 952/6d, which came against India in 1997. 952/6d by Sri Lanka is also the highest team total in the history of the longest format of the game.

7. New Zealand – 44 :

New Zealand are one of the oldest cricket teams in the world. Despite their history in test cricket, New Zealand have only managed to score 500 plus totals in test cricket on only 44 occasions. New Zealand’s first-ever 500-plus innings came in 1954 against South Africa. New Zealand won 23 test matches when they scored above 500 runs in an innings and lost only twice. New Zealand’s highest test total is 715, which came against Bangladesh in 2019.

6. South Africa – 54 :

South Africa have been a dominant side in international cricket. South Africa have scored 500 plus totals in tests 54 times. South Africa have won 33 tests out of those 54 occasions and lost only one test after scoring 500 runs in a test match. South Africa’s first ever 500 plus total came against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Stadium in 1910. Their highest total is 682, which came against England at the Lord’s in 2003.

5. Pakistan – 56 :

Pakistan made their entry into international cricket after 1947 after partition from India. Pakistan have been a bowlers’ dominating side in test cricket. They have so far managed to score 500 plus totals in tests on 56 occasions. Pakistan won 26 test matches after scoring 500 plus totals and lost four games. Pakistan’s first ever 500 plus total came against New Zealand in 1995 at Gaddafi Stadium.

4. West Indies – 67 :

West Indies may have lost their charm in test cricket, but once upon a time they were the most dominant side. West Indies scored 500 plus in an innings in test cricket on 67 occasions. They managed to win 28 test matches after scoring a 500 plus total and lost only one game. West Indies’ first-ever 500 plus innings came against England. Their highest ever total is 790 runs, which came against Pakistan in 1958.

3. India – 88 :

Team India have became one of the most dominant sides in test cricket in recent years. India have breached the 500-plus mark 88 times in their test history. India have won 40 out of 88 test matches and lost two games when they went past the 500-run mark in an innings in test cricket. India’s first ever 500 plus total came against New Zealand at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (Now Arun Jaitely Stadium) in Delhi in 1955. India’s highest ever test total is 759, which came against England in 2016.

2. England – 113 :

England have crossed the 500-run mark 113 times in test cricket. England were part of the first ever test match played in 1877. England won 55 games out of 113 occasions where they went on to score 500 plus totals in tests and they’ve have lost only two games. England’s first-ever 500 score in test cricket came against their arch-rivals Australia in 1897. England’s highest team total is 903, which came against Australia in 1938.

1. Australia – 150 :

Australia were part of the first ever test match in 1877 which was played between them and England. Australia have breached the 500-run mark the most number of times in test cricket. Australian batters have come together and scored 500 plus scores in test cricket 150 times. Australia have won 102 matches out of those 150 occasions and lost only on two other. Their first ever 500 plus innings came against England in 1884. Their highest team total is 758 runs, which came against West Indies in 1955.

(All stats updated till 2nd February, 2024)

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