India Record Highest Team Total In Women's Test Cricket, Surpass Australia

India last Saturday recorded the highest team total in women’s Test cricket — 603/6 — on day two of the one-off Test against South Africa, surpassing the previous best of 575/9 set by Australia. India also became the first country to cross the 600-run mark in any international format.

The mark was crossed as right-handed batter and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh hit a four in the opening ball of the 109th over bowled by Annerie Dercksen. The significant opening partnership for 292 runs between Indian openers Shafali Verma (205) and Smriti Mandhana (149) played a major role in accomplishing the record.

The team also broke the record set by Sri Lanka men’s team by scoring the highest innings ever in a day in a Test match. On the first day, India scored 525 runs for four wickets against South Africa. The team surpassed the Sri Lankan men’s team record of 509 runs for nine wickets against Bangladesh in Colombo in 2002.

TOP 5 HIGHEST INNINGS TOTALS IN WOMEN TEST INTERNATIONALS

• India Vs South Africa: 603 for 6 Wickets in Chennai (June 2024): India recorded the highest team total of 603 for 6 in women’s Test cricket on day two of the one-off Test against South Africa in Chennai at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
• Australia Vs South Africa: 579 for 9 Wickets in Perth (February 2024): In February 2024, Australia hosted South Africa for a single Test match. On Day 1, it scored a high of 458 runs, taking 9 wickets and hitting 575 runs in just 125.2 overs against South Africa.
• Australia Vs England: 569 for 6 Wickets in Guildford (1998): In the first Test match of the 1998 Ashes in England, Australia scored 569 runs for six wickets. Australia broke New Zealand’s 1996 record of 517 wickets in women’s Test cricket with the help of this inning.
• Australia Vs India: 525 All Out in Ahmedabad (1984): Australia scored 525 runs at Ahmedabad in the third Test of a month-long tour of India in 1984, setting the 182-run lead over India’s 343 first-inning total.
• New Zealand VS England: 517 for 8 in Scarborough (1996): New Zealand, led by Sarah Illingworth, got one of the greatest format totals in history in the first Test match of the series when they were touring England for three Test matches. They finished with 517 runs.