Chasing down a big target is one of the most thrilling things to happen in a cricket match. It requires a strenuous effort and as usual some assistance from bowlers and the pitch to do the undoable in a game of cricket. Over the years, there have been a number of highest chases in all formats of the cricket, with teams setting new benchmarks for what is possible.
In this article, we will take a look at the highest chases in all three formats of cricket: Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
South Africa vs Australia at the Wanderers
On March 12, 2006, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa achieved the highest successful run chase in One-Day International (ODI) cricket by chasing down a mammoth target of 434 runs set by Australia.
Australia batted first and posted a colossal total of 434/4, thanks to centuries from Ricky Ponting (164) and Michael Hussey (81). South Africa’s chase got off to a shaky start, when they lost Boeta Dippenaar in the first over.
However, Herschelle Gibbs (175) and Graeme Smith (90) staged a magnificent 187-run partnership to revive the chase. Both batsmen played with full aggresion without over a strike rate of 160.
After Smith was dismissed, Gibbs accelerated even more and shared 96 runs partnership in 52 balls with Ab de Villiers in which the latter only added 14 off 20 balls. In the middle overs, Australia consistently chipped away key wickets.
However, Mark Boucher (50*) and Johan van der Wath (35) made sure that victory remains in effective distance as South African needed 35 off last 14 balls. By the time, match came to the last over, job had already been done and the pair of Boucher and Ntini sneaked the historic win on the second last ball of the game.
West Indies vs Australia at St. John’s
On May 13, 2003, at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John’s, the West Indies achieved the highest successful run chase in Test cricket history by chasing down a target of 418 runs set by Australia.
Australia started the proceedings of the match with 240 runs on the board in the first innings. West Indies, too, posted 240 runs in their first innings with captain Brian Lara playing a crucial 68 runs knock.
Australia made a remarkable comeback and posted a total of 417 runs in the third innings of the match, thanks to centuries from Justin Langer (122*) and Matthew Hayden (169). The West Indies needed exactly 418 runs to win the match.
In their second innings, the West Indies’ trio Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul together contributed 269 runs, the latter 2 scoring match winning centuries.
Chanderpaul and Sarwan came together and staged a magnificent 187-run partnership to revive the chase. Both batsmen played with tremendous skill and determination, and their partnership kept the West Indies in the hunt.
After both batters were dismissed, Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes shared 47 runs partnership which eventually completed a historic chase in test cricket. West Indies registered a 3 wickets victory over Australia after being 2-0 down in the series.
South Africa vs West Indies at Centurian
On March 26, 2023, an electrifying contest took place between South Africa and the West Indies at Centurion. In this gripping second T20i match, West Indies set a seemingly insurmountable target of 258 runs for South Africa.
The pitch was a battleground for some outrageous hitting from both sides, continuing the fireworks that had ignited in the first T20I. West Indies, led by Jonathan Charles’s blistering century in just 39 balls, appeared to be on a rampage, with the ball disappearing to all corners of the ground.
However, South Africa, determined to prove that no target was too high, embarked on a relentless chase. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks spearheaded the South African reply with a breathtaking opening partnership, smashing 50 runs in just 2.4 overs.
De Kock, in particular, was in a league of his own, recording the fastest T20 half-century of his career in just 15 balls. His astonishing century in 43 balls, supported by Hendricks’s aggressive half-century, left no doubt that this was a historic chase in the making.
South Africa comfortably surpassed the 259-run target with 7 balls to spare, completing one of the highest chases in T20 cricket, a testament to their determination and unwavering belief in their ability to conquer even the most imposing totals.
Ashes 2006: Adam Gilchrist Slams 57 Balls 100 at WACA
Chasing down a big target is one of the most thrilling things to happen in a cricket match. Over the years, there have been many memorable chases in all formats of the game, with teams setting new benchmarks for what is possible.
The three chases mentioned above are just a few examples of the many remarkable run chases that have taken place in cricket history. South Africa has been involved in two remarkable chases in white ball cricket while we all know what West Indies is capable of on its auspicious day.
