Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Highest successful run chases at Old Trafford Manchester | What is the highest run chase in Tests at Old Trafford?

The Ashes are well and truly alive with Australia leading 2-1 three Tests into the series. Two of the three Tests so far have been won by the teams chasing.

The action now moves to Old Trafford, Manchester. There is a lot to play for both sides, and more so for England with the Ashes on the line.

Considering winning the toss and fielding first has been a trend so far, let us take a look at the five highest successful chases at Old Trafford in Test Cricket.

List of highest successful run chases at Old Trafford

1. 294/4 by England vs New Zealand, 2008

In May, 2008, Andrew Strauss scored an exceptional 106 in the fourth innings of the game to guide England to a victory against New Zealand in the second of three Tests.

The visitors had started their second innings with a huge lead of 179. However, Monty Panesar spun a web around the Kiwi batters as they were all out for just 114.

England had to chase 294, and their opener rose up to the occasion. Strauss scored a ton while the likes of Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood chipped in with vital 20s and 40s.

After the first game was drawn, this historic chase gave England a 1-0 lead in the series.

2. 277/7 by England vs Pakistan, 2020

Not too long ago, England pulled off a spectacular 277-run chase against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 2020, thanks to Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes’ heroics in the fourth innings of the game.

Pakistan had a lead of 107 runs before they failed to capitalise on the advantage and managed to score just 169 runs in their second innings. Yasir Shah, batting at number 8, was their highest run getter with 33 runs.

Chasing 277, England were in massive trouble with half of the side back in the pavilion for just 117. It was then that Buttler and Woakes put up a tremendous 139-run stand to put England in the driver’s seat. Woakes scored an unbeaten 84, while the English wicketkeeper-batter scored 75 off just 101 deliveries.

3. 231/3 by England vs West Indies, 2004

England chased down 231 against West Indies in the third game of the four-match Test series in 2004. The home side whitewashed West Indies as they won all four games in a convincing manner.

In the third Test, England’s target was contained to 231 after the visiting side crumbled in the third innings. Apart from their top three batters, nobody else scored more than nine.

Chasing the total, England lost both openers at just 27 runs. Walking in at number three, Robert Key stabilised things for the home side as he put up an 84-run stand with Michael Vaughan before being involved in the match-winning 120-run partnership with Andrew Flintoff.

Graham Thorpe bagged the Player of the Match award for his 114 runs in the first innings.

4. 205/5 by England vs Sri Lanka, 2024

England achieved a hard-fought victory against a spirited Sri Lanka team in the first of three Tests in 2024. After taking a lead of 122 courtesy of Jamie Smith’s superb 111, England were made to work in the second innings, with Kamindu Mendis (113) and Dinesh Chandimal (79) backing up Angelo Mathews’ 65 to give Sri Lanka hope.

Needing 205 to win, England found themselves in some trouble at 70/3 and 119/4. However, as long as Joe Root was at the crease, the hosts were favourites. England’s star batter notched up yet another Test half-century, finishing with a classy 62* to guide England home with five wickets to spare.

5. 145/7 by South Africa vs England, 1955

In 1955, South Africa chased down 145 in the third Test of the series against England. However, the hosts went on to win the fifth and deciding Test to seal the series.

South Africa scored a whopping 521/8 (declared) in the first innings in response to England’s 284. The gigantic lead of 237 meant that England could post a target of only 145 runs even after scoring 381 in the second innings.

Roy McLean scored exactly 50 while opener Derrick McGlew was dismissed two short of his half century. South Africa needed 16 more to win with six wickets in hand, but lost three more wickets before they chased the total down.