Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chases at Old Trafford in Test Cricket
Old Trafford in Manchester is a famous Test cricket ground where England have won many memorable matches. The pitch helps batters in the first innings but becomes tough later. Only four times has any team chased a target over 200 here, and all those times, it was England who won.
This article talks about the top five highest successful run chases at Old Trafford in Manchester in Test matches.
5. South Africa – 145/7 vs England, 1955
Most successful chases at Old Trafford were by England, but in 1955, South Africa won a rare match. In the third Test of a five-match series, England scored 284 runs in the first innings. Denis Compton made a century.
South Africa replied with 521 for 8 declared, with centuries from Jackie McGlew, John Waite, and Paul Winslow. England scored 381 in their second innings with Peter May hitting a century. South Africa needed 145 to win and chased it with three wickets left.
4. England – 205/5 vs Sri Lanka, 2024
In the first Test against Sri Lanka in 2024, England chased 205 runs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 236 in the first innings. England scored 358 with Jamie Smith hitting a century.
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In their second innings, Sri Lanka did better and made 326, helped by Kamindu Mendis who made a century. England had to chase 205 and Joe Root scored an unbeaten fifty to guide them to a five-wicket win.
3. England – 231/3 vs West Indies, 2004
In the third Test of a four-match series in 2004, West Indies scored 395 runs in the first innings. Three players hit fifties. England replied with 330 and Graham Thorpe made a century.
West Indies were bowled out for 165 in their second innings. England needed 231 to win and chased it with seven wickets in hand.
2. England – 277/7 vs Pakistan, 2020
In 2020, England and Pakistan played the first Test of a three-match series. Pakistan scored 326 in their first innings. Yasir Shah took four wickets to bowl out England for 219.
England bowled out Pakistan for 169 in the second innings. They needed 277 to win. Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes both scored fifties and helped England win with three wickets left.
1. England – 294/4 vs New Zealand, 2008
England chased their biggest ever target at Old Trafford in 2008 against New Zealand. In the first innings, New Zealand scored 381 runs. Ross Taylor made a century.
England were bowled out for 202 by Daniel Vettori. New Zealand could only score 114 in their second innings. England had to chase 294. Andrew Strauss scored a century and helped England win with six wickets in hand.
Conclusion
Old Trafford in Manchester is known as a tough place to chase runs. Only a few times have teams chased big targets here. England have done it more than once, showing their strong performance at home. Each win gave fans great memories and showed how Test cricket can always surprise.
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ALSO READ: Ben Stokes Creates History At Old Trafford With Gritty Century Against India
