Because the fourth day of the continued Edgbaston Check between England and India attracts reaching to its ultimate part, India finds itself in a dominant place with a lead of 607. The strain is now firmly on the hosts, who face the daunting job of chasing an enormous fourth-innings goal on the ultimate day.
A venue famend for a number of excessive fourth innings run chases
Whereas such chases are uncommon and sometimes fall brief in Checks, Edgbaston is without doubt one of the few iconic Check venues the place fourth-innings miracles have unfolded. Recognized for its electrifying environment and traditionally energetic pitches, Edgbaston in Birmingham has seen its justifiable share of basic finishes. Through the years, the bottom has produced outcomes that defied expectations, together with a number of profitable fourth innings chases that demanded a mixture of persistence, daring stroke play, and sheer psychological grit. Whereas India goals to push England into an inconceivable nook, historical past means that Edgbaston may be surprisingly accommodating for chasing groups.
Listed here are the highest 5 highest run chases at Edgbaston:
1. England – 378/3 vs India (2022)
Essentially the most iconic chase at Edgbaston got here simply three years in the past, and it was towards the exact same opponent. In July 2022, England shocked India by chasing down a document 378 within the fourth innings — not solely their highest profitable chase in Check historical past but additionally the very best at Edgbaston. It was the early days of the “Bazball” period, and England’s aggressive batting template got here to life by Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. Each gamers slammed unbeaten centuries, Root ending on 142 not out and Bairstow on 114 not out, as they stitched a match-winning 269-run partnership. Their fluent strokeplay and sheer confidence overwhelmed the Indian bowlers and redefined fourth-innings expectations on the venue.
2. South Africa – 283/5 vs England (2008)
In 2008, South Africa confirmed the grit and persistence required to chase a goal above 280 on English soil. Chasing 283 towards England, the Proteas have been led by a monumental innings from captain Graeme Smith, who remained unbeaten on 154. Smith acquired worthwhile help from AB de Villiers, each of whom absorbed strain and rotated strike successfully. Smith’s calm but commanding knock grew to become one of many defining innings of his profession and proved that skilled management, mixed with composure, can grasp even essentially the most tense conditions at Edgbaston.
3. Australia – 282/8 vs England (2023)
One of the current additions to Edgbaston’s chase folklore got here within the 2023 Ashes sequence. Australia, set a tough goal of 281 by England, discovered themselves in deep trouble at 227 for 8. However skipper Pat Cummins led a shocking fightback, scoring an unbeaten 44 and placing on a 55-run partnership with Nathan Lyon, who additionally held his nerve. The Australians pulled off a heart-stopping victory with simply two wickets in hand, and Cummins etched his identify in historical past not simply as a bowler however as a captain who delivered underneath strain with the bat.
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4. England – 211/3 vs New Zealand (1999)
Going again to 1999, England chased down a modest however tough goal of 211 towards New Zealand. What made this victory memorable was the composed batting of Nasser Hussain. Nonetheless, it was nightwatchman Alex Tudor who stole the present, ending unbeaten on 99. Despatched in late on Day 4, Tudor batted by the subsequent morning, showcasing resilience and clear method. His sudden heroics made it probably the most distinctive match-winning knocks in England’s Check historical past, and one other reminder that Edgbaston is stuffed with surprises.
5. West Indies – 157/3 vs England (1991)
Although not as giant a goal because the others on this record, West Indies’ profitable chase of 157 towards England in 1991 holds historic significance. Carl Hooper and Viv Richardshave been the important thing contributors, calmly guiding the guests to victory with loads of time to spare. Whereas it wasn’t a high-pressure thriller, the chase confirmed the significance of making use of strain on the house group, even on pitches that historically favour bowlers later within the match.
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