Highest successful run chases at Leeds
As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy opened in dramatic fashion at Headingley, India asserted their dominance over four gripping days of Test cricket. With England set a massive 371-run target, they ended Day 4 at 21/0 in 6 overs, still needing 350 on the final day. The hosts have a mountain to climb, and although history is against them, Bazball has rewritten records before. So let’s have a look at Highest successful run chases at Leeds in Headingley.
Highest successful run chases at Headingley in Leeds
Historically, Headingley has witnessed only a handful of successful fourth innings run chases.
404/3 by Australia vs England, 1948: This stands as the highest successful chase at Headingley and one of the highest in Test history. Don Bradman (173*) and Arthur Morris (182) were the stars.
362/9 by England vs Australia, 2019: Famously known for Ben Stokes’ incredible unbeaten 135*, which guided England to a miraculous one-wicket victory in the Ashes.
322/5 by West Indies vs England, 2017: Shai Hope’s twin centuries, including an unbeaten 118 in the chase, were key to this West Indies win.
315/4 by England vs Australia, 2001: Mark Butcher’s 173* was instrumental in England’s victory.
296/3 by England vs New Zealand, 2022: A key chase in the “Bazball” era, with contributions from Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow.
India’s Target (371)
If England successfully chases 371, it would be their highest successful chase at Headingley, and their highest successful chase against India in England (their overall highest against India was 378/3 at Edgbaston in 2022).
Historically, India has only lost once when defending a target of over 350 runs (against England in 2022).
A Test of two big first innings
India put up 471 in their first innings, powered by a brutal 101 from Jaiswal and a sparkling 147 by captain Gill. Pant’s 134 added late firepower. England responded with a solid 465, with Pope (106) and Brook (99) leading the fightback. Bumrah’s 5-wicket haul stood out as India took a slender 6-run lead.
India’s second innings, however, proved decisive. Pant’s counter-attacking 118 off 153, along with a gritty 137 by KL Rahul, took India to 364, setting England a daunting 371-run target.
England’s final day challenge: Will India restrict England to win 1st Test?
At 21/0, with Crawley and Duckett at the crease, England needed 350 runs with 10 wickets intact. It’s a tough ask against a confident Indian bowling unit led by Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja. The likes of Root, Stokes, and Brook hold the key for the hosts if they are to script something special.
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