Highest Successful Test Run Chase at The Oval:
The first Test match at London’s 'The Oval' was contested between Australia and England in 1880. In 1902, another Test between these teams took place at the same venue, where the English team successfully chased 263 runs in the fourth innings to secure a victory.
Since then, numerous tests have been played at The Oval, but none have surpassed that landmark. For 123 years, no team has managed to chase more than 263 runs in the fourth innings at this ground.
In the historic match of August 1902, Australia scored 324 runs in the first innings and 121 in the second, while England was bowled out for 183 in their first innings. Yet, they managed to chase the target by scoring 263 with 9 wickets down.
The challenge of achieving a run chase remains substantial in the fourth innings of Test cricket. As the Indian team prepares to bat on Saturday (August 2), they must remember this 123-year-old record.
At The Oval, the highest fourth-innings score ever is 429 for 8 wickets (150.5 overs), a feat achieved by India against England in August 1979. However, India required 438 runs to win, and the match ended in a draw. If there had been time left, India might have clinched a victory.
Source: aajtak
Is a Target of 300+ Runs Ideal at The Oval?
The question arises whether a score exceeding 300 runs can be achieved by the Indian team consisting of Shubman Gill and others, with Indian bowlers delivering incredible performances. Based on their first innings performance, the answer could very well be yes.
England's first innings began explosively, with Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley contributing an impressive 92-run partnership for the first wicket. But then, India's pace bowlers worked their magic, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna taking 4 wickets each, restricting England to 247 runs in 51.2 overs.
Top Five Fourth-Innings Chases at The Oval
As mentioned, the 1902 record of 263 runs remains the highest successful chase in the fourth innings at The Oval.- In 1963, West Indies were set a target of 253 runs against England and ended with a score of 255/2.- Australia chased down 242/5 in the fourth innings against England in 1972.- West Indies successfully chased 226/2 in 1988.- In 2024, Sri Lanka managed to chase 219/2 against England. These are the top five scores successfully chased in the fourth innings at The Oval.
