Top 5 highest team totals in Women's Tests ft. IND-W Vs SA-W 2024
India Women created history by posting 603 for the loss of six wickets against South Africa Women in the ongoing Test between the two teams in Chennai. This is the first time ever that a total of 600 in an innings has been breached in a women's Test.
Before the said Test, the total of 500 in an innings was surpassed only on five occasions in the history of 148 Women's Tests played. Australia Women dominate the list and have three of the five said totals to their names.
On that note, here is a look at the top five highest team totals in Women's Tests:
#1 India Women - 603/6d against South Africa Women in 2024
India Women created history by posting the highest-ever total in Women's Test history. They achieved this feat against South Africa Women in the ongoing Test between the two teams in Chennai today i.e.on June 29, 2024
Openers Smriti Mandhana (149) and Shafali Verma (205) set the momentum by providing a solid start and added 292 for the first wicket. Jemimah Rodrigues (55), Harmanpreet Kaur (69), and Richa Ghosh (86) scored half-centuries and guided the team to a total of 603 for the loss of six wickets before declaring the innings.
It remains to be seen if the home team can beat the visitors after putting up a huge total on board on a flat batting wicket.
#2 Australia Women - 575/9d against South Africa Women in 2024
South Africa Women were once again on the receiving end earlier this year against Australia Women earlier this year. In a Test match in Perth, the visitors were outplayed by the hosts.
After being bundled out for a paltry score of 76, the South African bowlers were made to toil hard on the field.
Despite losing three early wickets with just 12 runs on the board, the middle and lower middle order guided Australia to a massive score of 575. Annabel Sutherland was the top run-getter for Australia with 210. Alyssa Healy (99), Ashleigh Gardner (65), and Kim Garth (49) provided the perfect support to Sutherland.
South Africa Women were bundled out for 215 in the second innings, as the hosts won the Test by a margin of an innings and 284 runs.
#3 Australia Women - 569/6d against England Women in 1998
In a high-scoring Test between Australia Women and England Women in Guildford in 1998, Australia Women scored a massive 569 after England Women were bundled out for 414 in their first innings.
However, the visitors were unperturbed by the huge total set by England Women and batted with a positive intent. Joanne Broadbent scored a patient double century (200) and was well supported by Mel Jones (131) and the duo added 220 runs for the fourth wicket.
Australia Women declared their innings when the score reached 569 for the loss of six wickets.
The match ended in a draw.
#4 Australia Women - 525 against India Women in 1984
Australia Women once again feature on this list. They breached the 500-run mark in Test cricket for the first time against India Women in Ahmedabad in 1984.
After bundling out the hosts for 343, Australia Women scored a massive score of 525. The innings had three centurions viz. Peta Verco (105), Jill Kennare (131) and Karen Price (104*). The Indian bowlers could not stop the onslaught and the bowling was listless against a strong Australian batting line-up.
The hosts added 50 runs without losing any wicket in the second innings and the match ended in a draw.
#5 New Zealand Women - 517/8d against England Women in 1996
The White Ferns also feature on this list. In a Test against England Women in Scarborough in 1996, New Zealand Women posted their highest-ever total in Test cricket.
Batting first, England Women posted a massive total of 414. The visitors also made use of the flat wicket and batted for 215 overs, scoring 517 runs for the loss of eight wickets before the match ended in a draw.
Kirsty Bond (204) was the top run-getter for the White Ferns and was well supported by Shelley Fruin (80) and Kelly Brown (50) and guided their team to their highest-ever total in Women's Test cricket.