Highest opening partnerships in Test cricket: Proteas pair takes the top spot - get top 10 list

A good opening partnership sets the tone wonderfully for a side to take control in cricket. Their task gets a lot more difficult in Test cricket, where they have to see through new ball trouble to ensure the batters following them can score freely. 

Over the years, there have been some iconic opening pairs in Tests, who recorded unforgettable partnerships together. 

Former South African openers Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith hold the record for the highest opening partnership in Test cricket. They broke a 52-year record held by Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy and became the third opening pair in the longest format to add 400 or more together. 

Windies' Kraigg brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul are the latest addition to the top 10. Their partnership of 336 runs is the highest Test opening partnership by a West Indies pair.

Here’s a list of the top 10 opening partnerships in Test cricket.

Highest opening partnership in Test cricket

Neil McKenzie, Graeme Smith (South Africa) - 415 vs Bangladesh

South Africa batted first in the second Test against Bangladesh in 2009. Neil McKenzie (226 in 338 balls) and Graeme Smith (232 in 277 balls) played out the opening day without losing a wicket, also adding 405 runs in 90 overs. They added 10 more runs to their overnight tally before Smith was dismissed on Day two. South Africa won the Test match by an innings and 205 runs. 

Vinoo Mankad, Pankaj Roy (India) - 413 vs New Zealand

Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy’s record of 413 runs for the opening wicket against New Zealand remained untouched for over five decades. The duo dominated the Kiwi bowlers and batted the first five sessions of the Test before Pankaj Roy was dismissed for 173. Mankad finished with 231, his highest score in Test cricket.  India won the Test match in Chennai by an innings and 109 runs. 

Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid (India) - 410 vs Pakistan

In the first Test against Pakistan in Lahore in 2006, Pakistan scored 679 runs batting first. In response, Virender Sehwag went berserk against the hosts’ fast bowlers in the company of Rahul Dravid. Sehwag finished with 254 off 247 deliveries, while Dravid remained unbeaten on 128 off 233 deliveries. The duo added 410 runs for the opening wicket before Sehwag was dismissed by Naved-ul-Hasan. The match finished in a draw as weather conditions did not permit any further play. 

Glenn Turner, Terry Jervis (New Zealand) - 387 vs West Indies

Glenn Turner and Terry Jervis recorded the highest opening partnership in Test cricket by Kiwi pair in 1972 against the West Indies. In response to the Caribbean side’s 365/7 in the first innings, the New Zealand openers added 387 runs together as New Zealand declared at 543/3. Turner scored 259 runs off 759 balls and was assisted well by Jervis, who made 182 in 555 balls. The match finished in a draw. 

Bill Lawry, Bob Simpson (Australia) - 382 vs West Indies

Australian skipper Bob Simpson (201) and Bill Lawry (210) staged an unforgettable batting display against the terrifying pace of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith in the Bridgetown Test against West Indies in 1965. Simpson fell shortly after completing his double century and the opening stand accounted for 382 runs. Australia scored 650/6 in 189 overs before declaring and the match finished in a draw after Seymour Nurse had scored a double ton for the hosts.

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