Test cricket is often considered the ultimate format of the game, demanding skill, endurance, and mental fortitude over an extended period. Winning a Test match signifies that a team has performed well against a formidable opponent and showcases their ability to excel in all aspects of the game. It contributes to the team's overall performance and can improve their rankings in the Test cricket rankings.
Winning a Test match can also provide a psychological edge over the opposition. It boosts the confidence and morale of the winning team while potentially demoralizing the opponents. A victory can instil a sense of belief, unity, and momentum within the winning team, which can positively impact their performance in future matches.
However, winning a Test match with a big margin makes it to international headlines. It is a major boost in the overall confidence and morale of the team and its management. Here are the top 5 biggest wins in the history of Test Cricket.
5) West Indies (vs England in 1976)
In the Test match between West Indies and England in 1976 at Manchester's Old Trafford, West Indies won by a massive margin of 425 runs. It was the fifth and final Test of the series. Batting first, West Indies scored 411 and Alvin Kallicharran top-scored with 124 runs, and Roy Fredericks contributed 79 runs. In reply, England completely failed to score and was bundled for 71 runs. Andy Roberts picked up 7 wickets for 54 runs.
West Indies declared their second innings at 221 and England needed 552 runs to win. However, England again failed to score and the whole team was done at a score of 125.
4) Sri Lanka (vs Bangladesh in 2009)
This was one of the most historic wins for Sri Lanka as they won the fixture against Bangladesh by 465 runs. The visitors dominated the game from the 1st inning and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 162 on 165 balls with Chamara Kapugedera scoring 96 on 124 balls. Bangladesh’s first inning was over for a score of 208 and Ajantha Mendis picked up 4 wickets. In the second inning, Tillakaratne Dilshan displayed his havoc again and scored 143 in 175 balls and the Sri Lankan innings were over at 447. Bangladesh was unable to handle the pressure and the whole team was bundled at 158 runs.
3) Australia (vs Pakistan in 2004)
Australia has been a dominant force in all the formats of cricket and in the early 2000s, they were at their peak. While hosting Pakistan for a Test series, the Aussies dominated the visitors from the first Test as they scored a win by 491 runs.
Australia batted first and posted a mammoth total of 381 runs in their first innings. Pakistan struggled in response and was bowled out for just 179 runs in their first innings. In their second innings, Australia declared at 361 for 5, setting Pakistan a daunting target of 564 runs to win. Pakistan faced a tough challenge and was bowled out for 72 runs in their second innings. Glenn McGrath wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for just 8 runs.
2) South Africa (vs Australia in 2018)
The Proteas stunned the Australians in 2018 at their hometown by scoring a win over the visitors by 432 runs in the fourth Test of the series. Batting first, South Africa scored 488 runs and the Aussies were bundled for a score of 221 runs. In the second innings, South Africa declared their innings at 344 runs and gave Australia a target of 612 runs.
However, the Australian batters were unable to handle the pressure and were all gone for 119 runs and hence giving a victory to South Africa by 492 runs.
1) Bangladesh (vs Afghanistan in 2023)
Bangladesh is known to produce shocks in international cricket and this is what they did while playing against Afghanistan in their one-off Test in June 2023. The hosts scored a win of runs over Afghanistan and made a new record in the red-ball format. In the first inning, Bangladesh scored 382 runs and stopped Afghanistan at 146 runs. In the second inning, Bangladesh declared their inning at 425 runs giving the visitors a target of 662 runs. Afghanistan batters lost their wicket easily in front of Bangladesh’s bowlers and were all out for 115 runs.
