Don Bradman’s Australia owns record for highest successful run chase in Ashes history

The Australian cricket team holds the record for the highest successful run chase in Ashes.

Led by captain Don Bradman, Australia successfully chased down 404 against arch-rivals England at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds in 1948. Don Bradman’s Australia is still the only side to successfully chase down in excess of 400 runs in the fourth innings of an Ashes Test.

In 2019, the Joe Root-led England cricket team etched their name into the history books as they chased down 359 in the fourth innings of an Ashes Test at the Headingley. It remains England’s highest successful run chase in an Ashes match.

Let’s have a look at some of the highest successful run chases in Ashes history.

Highest successful run chases in Ashes

Australia - 404/3 | Headingley 1948

During the fourth Test of Australia’s tour of England in 1948, the visitors created history as they successfully chased 404 in Leeds. Electing to bat first, hosts England rode on Cyril Washbrook’s 143 to post 496 in their first innings. Australia responded with 458 in their first innings with the help of Neil Harvey’s 112. The hosts later declared their second innings after posting 365/8. Chasing a mammoth target of 404, Arthur Morris (182) and Don Bradman (173 not out) smashed big hundreds to pull off a record chase and register a seven-wicket win. Australia won the five-match series 4-0.

England - 362/9 | Headingley 2019

England recorded their highest successful run chase in Ashes after chasing down 359 at the Headingley during the third Test of Ashes 2019. Opting to field, England bowled out Australia for 179 in the first innings. Under the leadership of Tim Paine, the visitors bounced back in the game after bundling out England for 67. Australia then managed 246 in their second innings to set the hosts a target of 359. England later rode on a match-winning hundred from Ben Stokes (135 not out) to secure a thrilling one-wicket victory on Day 4. The Test series was drawn 2-2.

England - 332/7 | Melbourne 1928

The Percy Chapman-led England registered one of the highest successful run chases in Ashes in 1928-29. The visitors successfully chased down 332 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the third Test of England’s tour of Australia. Chasing a huge target, England opening batter Herbert Sutcliffe slammed a match-winning hundred (135) in the fourth innings to help the tourists record a nail-biting three-wicket win. Earlier, Australia posted 397 in their first innings, before England recorded 417. The hosts were later bowled out for 351 in their second innings. England won the five-match Test series 4-1.

Photo credit: Alamy