654 By England To 457 By West Indies: Highest 4th Innings Total In Tests

Justin Greaves scored his maiden double century, and Kemar Roach slammed his maiden Test fifty on Saturday (December 6) to help West Indies score 457 runs for the loss of six wickets in their second innings of the first Test against New Zealand. In the match played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Greaves added an unbeaten 180 runs for the 7th wicket with Roach after adding 196 runs for the fifth wicket with Shai Hope (140) to help West Indies post the second-highest total in the fourth innings of a Test match.

The record of the highest total in the fourth innings of a Test match is in the name of the English team. In March 1939 against South Africa in Durban, in reply to the target of 696 runs, England finished at 654 for the loss of five wickets.

In that fixture, Bill Edrich scored 219 runs for the English team, and captain Wally Hammond made 140. In addition to them, opener Paul Gibb scored 120 runs for the visitors.

Highest total in 4th innings of a Test match

TEAM	TOTAL	OVERS	AGAINST	RESULT	VENUE	YEAR
England	654/5	218.2×8	South Africa	Draw	Durban	1939
West Indies	457/6	163.3	New Zealand	Draw	Christchurch	2025
New Zealand	451	93.3	England	Lost	Christchurch	2002
South Africa	450/7	136	India	Draw	Johannesburg	2013
Pakistan	450	145	Australia	Lost	Brisbane	2016
India	445	141.4×8	Australia	Lost	Adelaide	1978
Pakistan	443/7	171.4	Australia	Draw	Karachi	2022
New Zealand	440	188.1	England	Lost	Nottingham	1973
New Zealand	431	118.5	England	Lost	Napier	2008
India	429/8	150.5	England	Draw	The Oval	1979

The record of the highest fourth innings total in a Test match, which also resulted in a win, is in the name of the West Indies. On May 13, 2003, in St John’s, the Windies team led by Brian Lara successfully chased down the target of 418 runs against Australia to secure a famous win by three wickets.

In that fixture, Ramnaresh Sarwan scored 105 runs as a No. 5 batter, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul hammered 104 runs from 154 balls.

In Test cricket, the West Indies have scored more than 400 runs three times in the fourth innings.

Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa have also scored more than 400 runs three times in the fourth innings of a Test match.