Biggest-Ever First Innings Totals to Lose by an Innings

In the annals of Test cricket, there have been remarkable instances when teams have achieved massive first-innings totals, only to falter spectacularly and lose by an innings. But no such contest will go down quite as memorably as England's recent win against Pakistan in Multan. It looked as though the hosts were surely on course for a dominant victory - or at the very least a draw - after posting a whopping first-innings total of 556.

But clearly, the Pakistanis hadn't banked on the revolutionary “Bazball” taking Multan by storm. England responded by posting their biggest total for some 86 years, before spin bowler Jack Leach took over on day five. Let's explore that in more depth, alongside some other huge first-innings scores that ultimately ended up being utterly destroyed.

England's Yorkshiremen Leave Pakistan in Their Wake

As mentioned, in the recent clash in Multan, Pakistan posted a formidable 556 thanks to blistering knocks from opener Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Salman Ali Agha, all of whom scored centuries. Usually - and especially in the subcontinent - such a total would surely guarantee a victory, especially with pitches notoriously deteriorating on days four and five. But England wasn't to be deterred - far from it.

The tourists' response was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite losing opener Ollie Pope for a duck and leaving his side 4/1, England would pile on the runs. Zak Crawley put on 78 before being dismissed, while wicketkeeper Ben Duckett also added 84. However, the real stars of the show were Yorkshireman Joe Root and Harry Brook. The former of that duo played beautifully to rack up a whopping 262, his biggest-ever test score and a knock that would take him past Sir Alistair Cook as England's leading test match run scorer.

However, even he was overshadowed by the exploits of his white rose compatriot Harry Brook. The talented 25-year-old scored a sensational 317, his country's first triple centurion in four decades. The mammoth 454-run fourth wicket stand was England's biggest-ever partnership, and when Root departed after falling to Salman Ali Agha, England was at a healthy 703/4. They went on to add another 100 runs, ultimately declaring at 823/7, and giving their bowlers the chance to hand them an unlikely victory.

Jack Leach took over on days four and five, playing a pivotal role and taking four crucial wickets that dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup, bowling the hosts out for 220 to hand England the victory by an innings and 47 runs. With the defeat, Pakistan bagged the dubious distinction of being the first team to score over 500 runs first up and still lose by an innings. For England, it was their third straight victory in which they have conceded more than 500 runs in their first innings with the ball in hand.

Now, the English hope their recent victory will lead them to an Ashes series win in the Land Down Under against Australia next year. England hasn't won a single test match on enemy territory in 13 years, and it's perhaps unsurprising that online betting sites in Canada and elsewhere make them +550 underdogs to reclaim the urn.

England Suffer the Same Fate

The 2017 Chennai Test between India and England showcased another instance of a commanding first-innings score leading to a crushing defeat. England put up a resilient 477 in their first innings, thanks to significant contributions from their batsmen. However, India responded with a staggering 759 for 7 declared, featuring a triple century from Karun Nair, who made 303 not out, and a near-double century from KL Rahul, who scored 199.

The Indian spin attack, led by Ravindra Jadeja, was relentless in England’s second innings. Jadeja’s figures of 7 for 48 were instrumental in skittling England out for a mere 207, handing India an innings and 75-run victory. This match underscored India's dominance on home soil and highlighted the challenges visiting teams face against quality spin bowling in subcontinent conditions. England’s inability to cope with spin was a critical factor in their defeat despite their robust first innings performance.

Ireland Best Ever Test Score Torn Apart

In 2023, Ireland’s tour of Sri Lanka included a Test match in Galle that added another chapter to this unique cricketing narrative. Ireland started strongly, posting a commendable 492 in their first innings. Curtis Campher and Paul Stirling were the stars, with Campher scoring a gritty century. However, Sri Lanka’s response was emphatic. Kusal Mendis’s double century (245) and Nishan Madushka’s 205 propelled Sri Lanka to declare at 704 for 3, establishing a significant lead.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Ramesh Mendis, then dismantled the Irish batting lineup in the second innings. Ireland managed only 202, leading to an innings and 10-run defeat. This match highlighted Sri Lanka’s strength in home conditions and the challenges faced by Ireland, a relatively new side in Test cricket, when competing against more experienced teams.