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As the fourth day of the ongoing Edgbaston Test between England and India draws reaching to its final phase, India finds itself in a dominant position with a lead of 607. The pressure is now firmly on the hosts, who face the daunting task of chasing a massive fourth-innings target on the final day.
A venue renowned for several high fourth innings run chases
While such chases are rare and often fall short in Tests, Edgbaston is one of the few iconic Test venues where fourth-innings miracles have unfolded. Known for its electrifying atmosphere and historically lively pitches, Edgbaston in Birmingham has seen its fair share of classic finishes. Over the years, the ground has produced results that defied expectations, including several successful fourth innings chases that demanded a mix of patience, bold stroke play, and sheer mental grit. While India aims to push England into an impossible corner, history suggests that Edgbaston can be surprisingly accommodating for chasing teams.
Here are the top 5 highest run chases at Edgbaston:
1. England – 378/3 vs India (2022)
The most iconic chase at Edgbaston came just three years ago, and it was against the very same opponent. In July 2022, England stunned India by chasing down a record 378 in the fourth innings — not only their highest successful chase in Test history but also the highest at Edgbaston. It was the early days of the “Bazball” era, and England’s aggressive batting template came to life through Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. Both players slammed unbeaten centuries, Root finishing 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 at the venue.
2. South Africa – 283/5 vs England (2008)
In 2008, South Africa showed the grit and patience required to chase a target above 280 on English soil. Chasing 283 against England, the Proteas were led by a monumental innings from captain Graeme Smith, who remained unbeaten on 154. Smith received valuable support from AB de Villiers, both of whom absorbed pressure and rotated strike effectively. Smith’s calm yet commanding knock became one of the defining innings of his career and proved that experienced leadership, combined with composure, can master even the most tense situations at Edgbaston.
3. Australia – 282/8 vs England (2023)
One of the most recent additions to Edgbaston’s chase folklore came in the 2023 Ashes series. Australia, set a tricky target of 281 by England, found themselves in serious trouble at 227 for 8. But skipper Pat Cummins led a stunning fightback, scoring an unbeaten 44 and putting on a 55-run partnership with Nathan Lyon, who also held his nerve. The Australians pulled off a heart-stopping victory with just two wickets in hand, and Cummins etched his name in history not just as a bowler but as a captain who delivered under pressure with the bat.
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4. England – 211/3 vs New Zealand (1999)
Going back to 1999, England chased down a modest but tricky target of 211 against New Zealand. What made this victory memorable was the composed batting of Nasser Hussain. However, it was nightwatchman Alex Tudor who stole the show, finishing unbeaten on 99. Sent in late on Day 4, Tudor batted through the next morning, showcasing resilience and clean technique. His unexpected heroics made it one of the most unique match-winning knocks in England’s Test history, and another reminder that Edgbaston is full of surprises.
5. West Indies – 157/3 vs England (1991)
Though not as large a target as the others on this list, West Indies’ successful chase of 157 against England in 1991 holds historical significance. Carl Hooper and Viv Richardswere the key contributors, calmly guiding the visitors to victory with plenty of time to spare. While it wasn’t a high-pressure thriller, the chase showed the importance of applying pressure on the home team, even on pitches that traditionally favour bowlers later in the match.
