Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: List of highest successful run chases in Tests at The Oval | What is the highest successful run chase at The Oval?
The Oval in London has traditionally been a good ground for batting. But, how successful have teams been in chasing targets?
Over the past 20 years, the team batting first has won 47.4% of Tests on this ground. Teams bowling last have had the better of proceedings in this period, with the top five successful run chases all taking place before 2000.
Top 5 successful run chases in Tests at The Oval
There have been multiple 300+ scores in the fourth innings on this ground. However, none of the top five scores in the final innings have actually resulted in victory.
| Total | Target | Team | Opponent | Year | Result |
| 429/8 | 438 | India | England | 1973 | Draw |
| 423/7 | 451 | South Africa | England | 1947 | Draw |
| 369/6 | 500 | England | India | 2007 | Draw |
| 348 | 546 | Australia | England | 2009 | ENG win |
| 345 | 464 | India | England | 2018 | ENG win |
Here are the top five run chases achieved at Kennington Oval in London.
1. 263/9 by England against Australia, 1902
England’s effort way back in 1902 remains the highest succcessful run chase to date on this ground. They scored just 183 in reply to Australia’s 324 in the first innings, before knocking over the tourists for just 121 second time around.
Gilbert Jessop’s 104 and George Hirst’s 58 helped England to a remarkable win after falling to 48/5 in pursuit of 263.
2. 255/2 by West Indies against England, 1963
Windies opener Conrad Hunte hit 80 and 108* in an excellent win against England in 1963. The Test was even in the first innings before the visitors cruised to victory by eight wickets on the back of Hunte’s ton and Rohan Kanhai’s 77.
3. 242/5 by Australia against England, 1972
The Chappell brothers were at their very best at The Oval in 1972. Both scored hundreds in Australia’s first innings score of 399, which handed them a 115-run lead.
England fought hard in response with 356, and then picked up three Australian wickets for five runs during the chase of 242. However, Paul Sheahan (44*) and Rod Marsh (43*) led Australia to a fine win.
4. 226/2 by West Indies against England, 1988
West Indies sealed a 4-0 series win in England in 1988 with an eight-wicket win. Greats Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes put on 131 for the first wicket to set up the chase of 225, before Haynes and Gus Logie finished the job.
England dug deep in this Test to bowl the great Windies out for just 183 in the first innings. However, the Windies attack, consisting of Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, restricted the home side to 205 and 203 in their two digs.
5. 219/2 by Sri Lanka against England, 2024
Sri Lanka achieved their fourth Test win in England after dismantling the hosts by eight wickets. Pathum Nissanka (127*) was magnificent in the fourth innings, driving, cutting and pulling his way to his second Test hundred.
England paid the price for terrible batting in the second innings. They were bowled out for 156 in just 34 overs on a relatively flat pitch. Sri Lanka had no issues in reaching the target, achieving the fifth-highest successful run chase on this ground in the process.
