Largest Margin of Victory (by Runs)

Largest Margin of Victory (by Runs)

Test Cricket is considered as the purest format of the game. Given that Test Cricket is played across five days, it tests players’ ability to play under tough conditions. Both teams play two innings each in a five-day period. Test Cricket is also the oldest format. The first Test match was played between Australia and England in 1877 at Melbourne Cricket Stadium.

With the coming of ODI and T20 format, Test Cricket has perhaps lost its significance a bit as the fans are now less interested in watching the game for five days. The players though still have the desire to don the Indian Test Cap and make a name for themselves.

Over the years, we have seen some amazing game of cricket when it comes to the five-day format. In this article, we look at top 5 teams registering the largest margin of victories (by runs) in Tests.

 

#5 Australia beat Pakistan by 491 Runs in 2004

The first Test match of Pakistan tour of Australia in 2004 saw Australia batting first and notching up a formidable 381-run total. Justin Langer played a great knock of 191 runs off 280 balls. Pakistan didn’t fight well in the second inning and was succumbed to 179 runs in the second innings. Australia batted in the third innings and declared at 361 for 5, thereby setting a target of 563 runs. In pursuit of the total, Pakistan bundled out for just 72 runs. Australia won that game by a massive 491 runs.

 

#4 South Africa beat Australia by 492 Runs in 2018

Australia suffered a humiliating defeat of a big margin of 492 runs at the hands of South Africa in 2019. It sits at fourth position in the list of largest margin of victory (by runs) in Tests. South Africa set the tone of the game after scoring a formidable total of 488 runs in the first innings. Australia in reply could muster 221 runs in the second innings, thereby handing a substantial lead to the Proteas. South Africa declared at 344 for 6 in the third innings and set a target of 611 runs. Australia succumbed to just 119 runs in the fourth innings and handed South Africa a victory by 492 runs. V Philander was awarded the man of the match for picking nine wickets in the game.

 

#3 Australia beat South Africa by 530 Runs in 1911

Back in the early 90s, Australia registered a massive 530-run victory against South Africa which is also the third-largest margin of victory ( by runs) in Tests. Australia posted 328 runs in the first innings, while South Africa amassed 205 runs in the second. However, Australia sat on the driver’s seat after posting a formidable 578-run total in the third innings and thereby set a 701-run target for South Africa. The Proteas could only manage to score 171 runs in the fourth innings. Australia won that game by 530 runs.

 

#2 Australia beat England by 562 Runs in 1934

The 5th Test between England and Australia at The Oval in 1934 Ashes Series saw Australia claiming the second-biggest margin of victory in Tests. Batting first, Australia took the game in their control after scoring a mammoth 701 runs in the first innings. England tried hard but could only muster 321 runs in the second innings. Australia did not enforce the follow-on and batted in the third innings. Australia scored 327 runs in the third innings and set a target of the 707-run total. England was bundled out for just 145 runs in the fourth innings.

 

#1 England beat Australia by 675 Runs in 1928

This is till date the biggest margin of victory registered in Tests in terms of runs. England beat Australia by 675 runs in the fifth Test of the 1928 Ashes Series. After scoring 521 runs in the first innings, England bowled out Australia for just 122 runs in the second innings. England batted in the third innings and declared at 342 for 8 in the third innings. Australia was bundled out for just 66 runs in the fourth innings, thereby handing England a massive 675-run victory in the end.