Five times when teams lost despite scoring more than 500 runs in first innings

A Test match is never over until the last day is played, until the last ball is bowled. It is this tantalizing suspense that makes cricket a game of uncertainties. In the 15-decade existence of Test match cricket, there have been a few instances where a team has gone on to lose a Test match in spite of scoring a total in excess of 500 in the first innings. In this article, let us take a look at five such instances.

5. Australia vs England (2006)

The Ashes series that took place in 2006-07 is one that will be remembered with fondness by every Australian cricket fan. The Aussies ripped apart England and pummelled the visitors, winning the series 5-0. And, in the second Test at Adelaide, England lost the match despite scoring 551 runs in the first innings.

Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood were the architects of England’s first innings. While Collingwood scored a sensational double hundred, Pietersen scored 158. In reply, Australia scored 513, with both Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke scoring centuries. It was in the second innings that things fell apart for England, as Shane Warne picked up 4 wickets and the visitors were bundled out for just 129. Australia romped home by 6 wickets, with Michael Hussey scoring a half-century in the second innings.

4. Australia vs India (2003)

When Rahul Dravid’s best knocks in his 16-year Test career are listed out, his double century at the Adelaide Oval deserves a mention right at the top. The Australian side batted first at Adelaide, and put on a massive total of 556 runs on the board, with Ricky Ponting plundering a classy 242. In reply, the duo of Dravid and VVS Laxman were involved in a match-turning partnership of 303 runs for the fifth wicket after India were reduced to 85/4.

While Dravid scored 233, Laxman scored 148 as India ended their first innings with a total of 523. In the second innings, Ajit Agarkar ripped through Australia, picking up 6 wickets, as the hosts were bowled out for just 196. In the second innings too, Dravid scored an unbeaten 72 as India romped home with 4 wickets to spare.

3. West Indies vs England (1968)

In March 1968, Gary Sobers made what can be called a ‘brave blunder’ at Port of Spain. In the fourth Test, the indomitable West Indies side batted first and scored 526 runs in their first innings, with batting legend Rohan Kanhai and Seymour Nurse plundering centuries. In reply, the England side scored 404, with skipper Colin Cowdrey scoring 148.

And then, Sobers declared West Indies’ second innings after just 30 overs, with the scorecard reading 92/2. That left England a target of 215 to get in the fourth innings. Geoff Boycott scored an unbeaten 80, as England stunned the hosts, romping home by 7 wickets.

2. Australia vs South Africa (1953)

In a Test match that lasted for six days (not including the rest day), the touring South African side got the better of Australia at Melbourne in the year 1953. The hosts batted first and piled on 520 runs on the board, with the flamboyant Neil Harvey scoring a magical double hundred. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 435, with John Watkins top-scoring with 92.

Australia were shot down for 209 in the second innings, with Eddie Fuller picking up a five-wicket haul. South Africa chased down the target of 295 with 6 wickets to spare, with Roy Mclean scoring an unbeaten 76.

1. Australia vs England (1929)

Again, this was a Test match that lasted for 8 days (not including the rest days again) as two of the game’s oldest rivals clashed. England batted first and posted a total of 519 runs on the board, with the iconic Sir Jack Hobbs leading the way with 142.

In reply, Australia were bowled out for 491, with the legendary Sir Don Bradman scoring 123. Tim Wall ripped through the England batsmen in the second innings, as the visitors were bowled out for 257. Australia chased down the target of 286 with 5 wickets to spare.