Test Cricket is the most different form of cricket. Unlike ODIs and T20Is, Test Cricket is free of over-limit for teams. Moreover, it witnesses four innings unlike the white-ball formats, which have 2 innings. Also, Test matches are played with red or pink balls.
Since batsmen can bat at their own pace in Test cricket, teams often turn up with gigantic scores on the board. Numerous Test encounters in the past have observed mammoth totals. However, some of them grabbed a place in record books.
If we look at the highest 1st innings scores in Test cricket, only 5 teams take the top 10 slots. Teams like West Indies, India, Australia, Pakistan, and England record for highest ever 1st innings total in Tests. Below is the detailed list of the top 10 teams with the highest 1st innings score in Test Cricket.
10 Highest 1st Innings Score In Test Cricket
10. West Indies- 681/8 vs England (Mar 1954)
West Indies grabs the 10th place on this list. During a clash against England in Port of Spain in 1954, West Indies posted 681/8 in 1st innings. It was the 4th Test of the series which ended in a draw. Everton Weekes smacked a double ton in the match.
Replying to WI’s 681, England posted 537/10. Later, the Caribbean side declared 2nd innings at 212 to set up a 357-run target for visitors. England ended with 98/3 at the stumps of Day 5.
Also Read: 10 Lowest 2nd Innings Score In Test Cricket
9. West Indies- 687/8 vs England (Aug 1976)
West Indies also owns the record for 9th highest 1st innings score in Test Cricket. In August 1976, West Indies posted 687/8 against England in a Test match with Viv Richards’ double century (291). West Indies also won the match by 231 runs in the end.
8. India- 687/6 vs Bangladesh (Feb 2017)
India too grabs a place on this list with a gigantic 687/7 against Bangladesh. The Test match took place in February 2017 in Hyderabad. Notably, Virat Kohli (204) stormed a double ton in 1st innings. Murali Vijay and Wriddhiman Saha added centuries to take the board to a huge total. India won by 208 runs in the end.
7. Australia- 701/10 vs England (Aug 1934)
Australia crossed 700-mark in the 1st innings of a Test vs England in August 1934. This takes the 4th spot on this list. Australia won the match by 562 runs. Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford shattered double centuries for the Aussies to propel the scoreboard to 701/10.
6. India- 705/7 vs Australia (Jan 2004)
India makes a comeback in the list of highest-ever 1st innings score in Test cricket with 705/7 against Australia. The match took place in January 2004 in Sydney where Sachin Tendulkar (241*) and VVS Laxman (178) grabbed the limelight with bat. The match ended in a draw with a brilliant batting show by the Aussies in both innings.
5. Pakistan- 708/10 vs England (Aug 1987)
Pakistan piled up 708/10 in Test Cricket in 1st innings during a clash against England. The match took place in August 1987. Pakistan’s batting was led by Javed Miandad (260), who shattered a double ton. Saleem Malik and Imran Khan scored centuries in the match which eventually ended in a draw.
4. Australia- 735/6 vs Zimbabwe (Oct 2003)
In a Test match vs Zimbabwe in October 2003, Australia shattered 735/6 in 1st innings with a triple century by Matthew Hayden (380). The Aussie opener broke the record for highest Test knock with his triple ton. Australia also won the match by an innings and 175 runs.
Also Read: IND vs SA: Sachin Tendulkar Mocks South Africa’s Poor Batting With Cryptic Tweet
3. West Indies- 751/5 vs England (April 2004)
West Indies claims the 3rd place in the list of teams with the highest ever 1st innings score in Test Cricket. Brian Lara shattered an unbeaten 400 in the match against England in April 2004. He became the first-ever player to reach the 400-run mark in Tests. It’s still the top knock in the longest format. Meanwhile, the match ended in a draw.
2. England- 849/10 vs West Indies (April 1930)
England captures the second spot in the list of highest-ever 1st innings total in Tests. England slammed 849 vs West Indies in April 1930. Andy Sandham (325) smashed a triple century in 1st innings. The match ended in a draw but England earned a historical record to their name.
1. England – 903/7 vs Australia (Aug 1938)
England steals the top spot in the highest 1st innings score in Test Cricket. England piled up 903/7 vs Australia in a Test match in August 1938. England’s total was led by opener Leonard Hutton, who stormed a triple ton of 364 runs. Joe Hardstaff and Maurice Leyland smacked centuries. England later won the encounter by an innings and 579 runs.
