Teams With The Most 500+ Totals In Test Cricket

‘Bat once and bat big’ is one of the many mantras that successful Test teams follow in their pursuit to dominate the game.

There have been a total of 599 instances in which teams have racked up totals in excess of 500 in Test match cricket. And, as you will see in this article, successful teams rule the roost when it comes to hammering down the opposition under a mountain of runs.

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Here’s a look at teams with the most number of 500 plus totals in Test cricket:

Zimbabwe- 5

The African country has registered 500+ totals on five occasions and they happen to be the only team to have never lost a game after scoring that many runs. They have won two of those games while three ended in a draw.

Their highest 500-plus score is 563, which came against the West Indies in Harare back in 2001.

Bangladesh- 10

The Asian Tigers, who made their Test debut 20 years ago against India, have registered scores in excess of 500 on ten occasions.

While they have registered a win on four occasions and drawn four times, they have also lost the match on two instances.

Bangladesh’s lowest 500+ score in Test cricket- 501- came against New Zealand in 2013. Their highest team tally, on the other hand, came against Sri Lanka when Mushfiqur Rahim’s whirlwind double-hundred propelled them to 638.

Sri Lanka- 35

Sri Lanka has registered a total in excess of 500 on 35 occasions and while they have won 23 of those games, they have ended up on the losing side on only one instance- vs Australia in 1992.As far as their lowest 500+ score is concerned, it is 504 while their highest total also happens to be the most number of runs accumulated by a team in Test history – 6-952 vs India in 1997.

New Zealand- 38

New Zealand has registered 38 500+ totals in their Test history, and while they have 18 of those encounters, only one of them has resulted in a defeat. Remaining 18 games have ended in a draw.

The Kiwis lowest 500+ total is 502, which came against India in 1968. Their highest-ever total, on the other hand, is 715, which they achieved against Bangladesh last year.

South Africa- 53

The Proteas have scaled Mount 500 on as many as 53 occasions. While they have scripted victory on 32 instances, they have ended up on a losing note once. The remaining 20 games have ended in a draw.

South Africa’s lowest 500+ score in these 53 instances is 502, which they scored against England at Port Elizabeth in 1965. Their highest total, on the other hand, has also come against England in 2003 when they racked up 6-682 at Lord’s.

Pakistan-53

The Men in Green have racked up totals in excess of 500 on a total of 53 occasions.

Out of those 53 occasions, they have managed to eke out a win on 24 occasions while losing on three instances. The remaining 26 games have ended in a draw. While their lowest 500+ total is 504 [vs England in 2006], the most they have managed is 765 [vs Sri Lanka in 2009]

West Indies-67

The former world champions, West Indies have registered 67 500+ totals in their storied history in Test match cricket.

Out of those 67 instances, the Men in Maroon have won on 28 instances, losing just once while 38 games ended in a draw.

West Indies lowest 500+ score is exactly 500, which came against India in 1959. Their highest-ever total, on the other hand, came in the same game- 3-790 vs Pakistan in 1958- where the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers scored a record-breaking 365- the then highest individual score in Test cricket.

India-86

The Men in Blue have registered 500+ totals on 86 instances in their Test history.

Out of those 86 instances, India has registered a win 39 times. They have lost on two occasions while 45 games have ended in a draw.

India’s lowest 500 or more totals exactly 500 which they got against Pakistan in Faislabad in 1984. Their highest-total, on the other hand, came four years ago against England when they racked up 759 thanks to Karun Nair’s triple hundred.

England-106

The oldest Test-playing nation, England is at the 2nd spot when it comes to scoring the most number of 500+ totals.

England have achieved the feat on 106 occasions. Out of those 106 instances, the ‘Three Lions’ won 51 times and lost on two occasions. Remaining 53 games ended in a draw.

England’s lowest 500+ score came against India in Mumbai in 1961, where they notched up 8-500 declared. Their highest-ever total, on the other hand, came against Ashes foes Australia back in 1938 when they racked up 7-903 declared.

Australia-146

There is a reason why Australia is the most successful Test side in the history of the game. That is because apart from boasting of world-class pace and spin bowlers, Australians have always been blessed with champion batsmen, who have proceeded to put enough runs on the board to pave way for their bowlers to dictate terms.

Australia has breached the 500+ mark on a record 146 times- 40 times more than the next best. Out of those 146 occasions, Australia have won on 99 instances besides losing three and drawing the game on 42 occasions. Interestingly, Australia is the only side who have been a part of two tied games after having posted 500- Brisbane 1960 vs West Indies & Madras 1986-87 vs India.

Australia’s lowest 500+ score is 505 [vs West Indies in 1960] and their highest-ever Test score is 758- vs West Indies in Jamaica, 1955.

(All Stats Updated Till 9th August, 2020)