Test matches are the best format in cricket. Despite the format of the game getting bifurcated into limited-overs formats over the years, the charm of the 5-day cricket remained intact.
The game's highest standard demands top players, high temperament, Resilience of the highest order. It is a 'test' in the true sense.
Over the years, a lot of milestones have been created, broken, and unmatched. Similarly, this article will feature the top 5 greatest win margins by innings in cricket history.
5. Pakistan Vs New Zealand
Date: 1 May 2002
Result: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by an innings & 324 runs.
Scorecard:
Pakistan - 643/10 (1st Innings) New Zealand -73/10 (1st innings), 246/10 (2nd innings)
New Zealand is the number 1 ranked Test side in the world. However, one of the tests that they would not like to recall would be back in 2002 against Pakistan in Lahore.
It was Inzamam-ul-Haq's sheer class when Pakistan was put to bat first, he scored his personal best of 329, and helped Pakistan score a massive total of 643.
New Zealand stepped out to bat next and was a victim of Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar dismantles Black caps in the first innings, and they had to settle for mere 73 runs. Hence, they were asked to bat again with a trail of 570.
This time, Shoaib was out of attack due to injury, but the spin did the job as Danish Kaneria picked a Fiver to restrict New Zealand to 246.
4. Australia vs England
Date: 29th November 1946
Result: Australia defeated England by an innings & 332 runs.
Scorecard:
Australia- 645/10 (1st Innings) England -141/10 (1st innings), 172/10 (2nd innings)
It was the first Ashes after World War 2. The excitement was out of control. Australia decided to bat first.
It was the day of another Sir Donald Bradman's excellency when he scored 187 partnering along with Lindsay Hassett who also scored a century.
Australia piled up 645 on the board. When England came to bat, they were left humiliating by the fast-bowling duo of Keith Miller and Ernie Toshack in both innings.
The Australian pair picked a combined 18 wickets in both innings, and England was reduced to 141, and 172. This was England's worst defeat by an innings in a test match.
3. West Indies vs India
Date: January 4, 1959
Result: West Indies defeated India by an innings & 336 runs.
Scorecard:
West Indies- 614/5 d (1st Innings) India -124/10 (1st innings), 154/10 (2nd innings)
We are talking about the era dominated by the West Indies. The golden years of the Caribbean.
West Indies won the toss and decided to bat, they lost their openers early but courtesy of Rohan Kanhai's 256, Basil Butcher's 103, and Sir Garry Sober's 106. West Indies piled up a mountain of 614 and yet wasn't bowled out but declared.
India came on to bat on their home soil in order to save the series. The outcome was opposite to what was asked, in both the innings, the batsmen toppled like dominos. India scored a mere 124 and 154.
2. Australia vs South Africa
Date: 22nd Feb 2002
Result: Australia won by an innings & 360 runs.
Scorecard:
Australia- 652/7 d (1st Innings) South Africa-159/10 (1 st innings), 133/10 (2nd innings)
South Africa makes it to the 2nd on the list. It is also the worst home defeat by an innings in Test history.
Australia batted first and Adam Gilchrist in his flamboyant style scored 204, with contributions from Matthew Hayden and Damien Martyn. Their century helped Australia score 652/7d.
In an attempt to close the gap on the runs, South Africa widened the cracks in their team, as they were restricted to 159 and 133 by mighty Australia.
1. England vs Australia
Date: August 20, 1938
Result: England defeated Australia by an innings and 579 runs.
Scorecard:
England- 903/7 d (1st Innings) Australia-201/10 (1 st innings), 123/10 (2nd innings)
Who would have thought that Australia would top the list of the team who suffered the heaviest defeat by an innings in a test?
England won the toss and chose to bat. The test marked the return of Leonard Hutton, and what a way to return. He smacked a record-breaking 364. In the same innings, Maurice Leyland scored a beautiful 187. England compiled a record of 903 runs.
Australia stepped onto the pitch in absence of Sir Donald Bradman, their greatest weapon. Who knew the void would be this big. Australia was dismissed for 201 and 123.
