Top Five Highest Fourth Innings Total In Test History
The West Indies made history with the second-highest fourth innings total in Test Cricket history during the first Test Match against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch in December.
After New Zealand set a very challenging target of 531 runs to win the match, it appeared unlikely that the West Indies team would even be within striking distance of this target following their first innings, where they only scored 167 runs. However, the West Indies produced an outstanding performance full of heart and determination to ensure that the match ended in a tie.
Shai Hope scored 140 runs after hitting 234 balls. Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 runs off 388 balls. The pair combined to put up a stand of 196 runs off 384 balls for the fifth wicket. Hope later got out, but with the pair of Greaves and Kemar Roach still at the crease, New Zealand could not break through, and the series remained 0-0.
| TEAM | OPPOSITION | TARGET | RESULT | VENUE | YEAR | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | South Africa | 696 | Draw | Durban | 1939 | 654-5 |
| West Indies | New Zealand | 531 | Draw | Christchurch | 2025 | 457-6 |
| New Zealand | England | 550 | Lost | Christchurch | 2002 | 451 |
| South Africa | India | 458 | Draw | Johannesburg | 2013 | 450-7 |
| Pakistan | Australia | 490 | Lost | Brisbane | 2016 | 450 |
Greaves accumulated 202* from 388 deliveries, with a total of 19 fours. He had only scored one century in Test matches before these innings. Roach finished the match with a personal best of 58*, having never previously scored a half-century in his career. Greaves is the fourth West Indies player and seventh overall in Test history to hit double centuries in a match played in the fourth innings.
It is worth noting that this was Christchurch’s second occasion when teams showed resilience in their fourth innings and posted totals greater than 450 runs; however, in 2002, New Zealand lost to South Africa in a match of a similar kind. The Kiwis won the second Test of the three-match series, held in Wellington from December 10 to December 12.
The third and final match of the series will take place in Mount Maunganui on December 18.
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