Highest Partnership for each wicket in Test Cricket
India has been at the receiving end twice.
A partnership is an edifice on which a team stands. It might appear simple, but partnerships in cricket have diversity and nuances of their own. So the one on a sunny morning on a Rajkot-belter with two batsmen rhythmically milking runs is entirely different than the other on a green-top in overcast Johannesburg with the ball dancing around both the batsman. Adding 108 off just 99 in the first session of day two and adding just 26 off 185 in the last session of day five to save a Test. These are all ‘partnerships’ and yet so different!
A partnership is not just simply piling up runs for your team. It is about making compromises, understanding situations, deciding when to play and when to pause, when to defend and when to attack, whom to target and whom to respect, analyzing your strengths and weaknesses as well as that of your partner’s, and a lot more. Building an individual inning takes a great deal of grit and labor, but as goes the saying- it takes two to tango, it takes a whole lot more to build a partnership.
In cricket, regardless of the format, batting is always done in a pair. However, in the hustle of individual performances, we invariably overlook the fact that cricket is a team game.
Let’s take a look at the highest partnerships for each wicket in the purest format of the game:
1. 1st wicket- 415 runs between Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith
Date: 29th February 2008
Partners: Neil McKenzie (226); Graeme Smith (232)
Opponent: Bangladesh
Venue: Chittagong, Bangladesh
There’s nothing more crucial than the opening partnership, they say. Is there a score more threatening than 100 for 0? Imagine what it would be like to look at 415 for 0! On a rare date, the South African openers stitched a partnership that gave a waiting-to-bat Hashim Amla pad blisters and rashes!
The year was 2008 and the last Neil McKenzie raised his bat after a century happened way back in 2001, so he ensured to make it count when he did this time. His partner Smith, let’s just say he always loved making mammoth partnerships. The duo smothered a hapless Bangladeshi bowling line-up on what was a batting paradise in Chittagong. On Day 1, South Africa piled 405 runs- 9 short of the record stand of 413 set by Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy in 1956.
The first session, second day, the last ball of the 92nd over, the 52-year-wait was over when Smith worked one past square leg for a single. The new world record- which stands to this day- was set. However, just a run later, Smith’s 406-minute-long outing ended when Abdur Razzak cleaned him up and gave his team their first wicket after 94 overs of pure enervation. McKenzie batted for 518 minutes and faced 388 balls for his 226 before falling to Shahadat Hossain.
South Africa posted a massive 583/7 before declaring and bundling out Bangladesh for a paltry 259. Following-on, Bangladesh tottered once again as it managed only 119 and lost the match by an innings and 205 runs.
2. 2nd wicket- 576 runs between Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama
Date: 2nd August 1997
Partners: Sanath Jayasuriya (340); Roshan Mahanama (225)
Opponent: India
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
It was a dead subcontinental belter in the suffocating humid weather of Sri Lanka. If you win the toss here, choose to bat without thinking and that’s what India did. Dare I say, any team would be unhappy after three of its batsmen slam centuries and help the team reach a gigantic total of 537/8!
Sri Lanka lost its first wicket on 39. Little did anyone know that the next would fall only after a record-shattering partnership of 576 runs! The Sri-Lankan pair batted for two complete days playing 1110 balls. Jayasuriya batted for a mind-boggling 799 minutes as he slammed 340 runs off 578, while Mahanama lasted 753 minutes for his 225 off 561.
The 576-run stand eclipsed the 63-year-old record of 451 between William Ponsford and Donald Bradman and also became the first-ever 500 run partnership in Test cricket. The 753-minute partnership is the longest in terms of duration in Tests to this day.
The two-day batting carnival left barely any scope of a result, however, the record-breaking did not stop even after the partnership ended. Sri Lanka’s hunger stayed alive until it posted an astronomical 952/6. Just when a four-digit-score looked probable, Lankans finally declared after batting for 271 overs. No marks for guessing the result (draw).
3. 3rd wicket- 624 runs between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene
Date: 27th July 2006
Partners: Kumar Sangakkara (287); Mahela Jayawardene (374)
Opponent: South Africa
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
There is something about Sri-Lankans and big partnerships. Jayawardene debuted in 1997 at Colombo in the same match where Sri Lanka piled the record score of 952/6 (d). Nine years later he joined his best mate to script something equally massive at the same ground. The coterie of Sanga-Mahela is renowned for hundreds of historic knocks over the years, but not one more than this one!
On a track having not too much life, South Africa batted first and managed only an unimpressive 169. Trailing Sri Lanka lost two wickets with just 14 on the board. That is when two of the most prolific men from the island-nation joined hands and despoiled a star-studded South African bowling attack.
Day two was a nightmare for the Protea camp as ‘Sanga-Wardene’ had pitched in their tent firmly. They drove, pulled, cut, and swept the bowlers all around the park mercilessly to amass a monstrous 624-run stand. This partnership is a record- both Test and First-Class- for any wicket in cricket.
After 157 overs of indefatigable run-making, Sangakkara nicked one from Andrew Hall and that was the end of a scintillating 287 off 457, only 13 short of what would have been a second triple century in the same innings. His 287 is to date the highest individual Test score by a wicket-keeper.
Mahela continued his carnage unflappably and looked like a contender to surpass Lara’s 400 when Andre Nel’s length delivery nipped in and brought an unforgettable batting exhibition to an end. His 374 off 562 guided Sri Lanka to a gargantuan score of 756/5 declared. South Africa did show some spine by scoring 434 in the second innings, but trailing by 587 runs was a perennial catch-up. Sri Lanka won by an innings and 153 runs.
4. 4th wicket- 454 runs between Joe Root and Harry Brook
Date: 10th October 2024
Partners: Joe Root (262); Harry Brook (260*)
Opponent: Pakistan
Venue: Multan, Pakistan
Hosts Pakistan squared off against England in the first Test being played in Multan. After having piled up over 550 runs in their first innings, the match seemed in Pakistan’s grip. In reply, England started well and were looking solid before making some fightback with scores reading 249/3 at one stage. However, Joe Root (262 runs) and Harry Brook (260*) forged an astonishing 454-run mammoth stand for the fourth wicket.
As a result, England's score galloped to a gargantuan 703/4.
The duo’s run carnage was finally put to an end when Salman Agha trapped Root in front to end his remarkable knock. Albeit, not before establishing a world record for the highest partnership for the fourth wicket along with England’s best partnership for any wicket.
5. 5th wicket- 405 runs between Sidney Barnes and Don Bradman
Date: 13th December 1946
Partners: Sidney Barnes (234); Donald Bradman (234)
Opponent: England
Venue: Sydney, Australia
It was the 1946-47 season. England was touring Australia for the mighty Ashes. Those were the days of- timeless Test matches; 8-ball overs; Sir Don Bradman; Sir Wally Hammond. The good ol’ days of cricket!
England had a forgettable first Test as Australia won by an innings and 332 runs. An eager English side, under the leadership of the legendary Wally Hammond, decided to bat first and posted 255 runs. Coming to bat, Australia found itself in a tricky situation as they lost 3 wickets with 96 on the board.
That is when the indisputable champion of all times, “The Don” stepped out in the middle. Being injured, he demoted himself from his usual No. 3 position to No. 6 that day. His entry marked the beginning of an enormous 405-run stand.
The Aussie-opener Barnes added runs cautiously while Bradman pounded the English bowlers from the other end. Barnes batted over 10 hours for his 232 and faced a mammoth 667 deliveries whereas Bradman scored as many runs off 396 balls before being dismissed by Norman Yardley. Coincidentally, both the batsmen made an identical score and their assiduous effort helped Australia reach 659/8 before declaring, amassing a 404-run lead.
In the second innings, Bill Edrich (119) and Denis Compton (54) showed some resilience, but to no avail, as Australia defeated England by an innings and 33 runs to take a 2-0 lead.
6. 6th wicket- 399 runs between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow
Date: 2nd January 2015
Partners: Ben Stokes (258); Jonny Bairstow (150)
Opponent: South Africa
Venue: Cape Town, South Africa
England versus South Africa is always an interesting face-off. One memorable clash was the Cape Town Test of 2015. Err… memorable for the visitors at least! Cape Town was ignited by Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, both of whom left the bowlers gnashing.
England were 223/5 and not too well-placed batting first on a rather benign pitch. The fall of the fifth wicket brought Stokes alongside Bairstow, which marked the beginning of Stokes’ mayhem. Hitting boundaries at will and playing all around the park, he was unstoppable, to say the least.
Stokes took 163 balls to complete his double century- second to only Nathan Astle’s 153-ball double ton in the list of fastest double centuries. He eventually slaughtered 258 runs- the highest score for any batsman coming in at No. 6 in Test history- in merely 198 balls at a highly unusual strike rate of 130.30, which is the highest in any individual innings of 250 or more runs in the longest format.
Jonny Bairstow was not ordinary by any standard in scoring his maiden ton. His defiant 150* off 191 balls was perfectly in tandem with Stokes and their colossal 399-run stand for the 6th wicket led England to 629/6 before declaring. In a rebellious response, South Africa nullified England’s tally by declaring at 627/7, courtesy Hashim Amla (201), Bavuma (102), de Villiers (88), and du Plessis (86). The match ended in a draw with England making 159/6 in their second innings.
7. 7th wicket- 347 runs between Denis Atkinson and Clairmonte Depeiaza
Date: 18th May 1955
Partners: Denis Atkinson (219); Clairmonte Depeiaza (122)
Opponent: West Indies
Venue: Barbados, West Indies
Australia was in West Indies for a five-Test series in 1955. This was the West Indies with some formidable names including Sir Garfield Sobers, Frank Worrell, Everton Weeks, Alf Valentine, and Clyde Walcott.
In the 4th Test of the series, Australia decided to bat first and posted a colossal 668/10, thanks to Keith Miller (137), Ray Lindwall (118), and Ron Archer (98). In response, West Indies was reeling at 147/6 and the chances of follow-on were looming large. Soon the captain Atkinson was joined by wicket-keeper Depeiaza, and the duo tacked an incredible recovery.
Both the batsmen grew in confidence and stitched a 347-run stand- overtaking the previous best of 246 between Jackie McGlew and Anton Murray in 1953- to bring their team out of trouble. Atkinson slammed his maiden double century before being dismissed for 219 while Depeiaza quietly scored 122. West Indies managed 510 runs before being dismissed.
Australia set a target of 408 for the hosts after it scored 249 in the second innings. The match was drawn with West Indies at 234/6 at the end of day six. (Yes, those were the days of 6-day matches).
8. 8th wicket- 332 runs between Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad
Date: 26th August 2010
Partners: Jonathan Trott (184); Stuart Broad (169)
Opponent: Pakistan
Venue: Lord’s, England
This was a series marred by incessant controversy about a few Pakistani players being involved in spot-fixing. England led the 4-Test series by 2-1 and the visitors were eager to level the series by winning the last game. Having won the toss, Pakistan invited the hosts to bat on a pace-friendly track. A young Mohammad Amir came out with all guns blazing and jolted the best of England’s batsmen by his fierce spell which was well supported by Wahab Riaz from the other end.
The score read 102/7 and Jonathon Trott watched his team fall like a pack of cards. Dangerously running out of partners, he was joined by Stuart Broad. Who would have expected that on a pitch where the likes of Cook, Strauss, Pietersen, and Collingwood searched for answers, a No. 9 batsman would script an unimaginable story?
Trott and Broad built a meticulous partnership and records galore. Trott batted 554 minutes to score a hard-earned 184 off 383. Broad made the second-highest score by a No. 9 batsman in Test history. His 169 off 297 lasted a massive 426 minutes.
The duo aggregated 332 runs for the 8th wicket- surpassing Saqlain Mushtaq and Wasim Akram’s 313-run stand in 1996- which helped a once reeling England post a solid 446. In response, Pakistan was bamboozled as it was dismissed for only 74. England imposed the follow-on and dismissed Pakistan for another paltry score of 147, to win by an innings and 225 runs.
9. 9th wicket- 195 runs between Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox
Date: 14th February 1998
Partners: Mark Boucher (78); Pat Symcox (108)
Opponent: Pakistan
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
Pakistan was touring South Africa for a three-Test series in 1998. Given the kind of bowling unit Pakistan had (read Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Saqlain Mushtaq), winning the toss and choosing to field was a no-brainer for the skipper Aamer Sohail on a juicy Johannesburg track.
Things went as per the captain’s expectations as the bowlers ravaged South Africa to 166/8. When the end looked imminent, a 37-year-old Pat Symcox joined the 21-year-old Mark Boucher on the crease and from here began the glorious revival of South Africa.
The tail-ender duo batted for 50 overs and amassed a record 195 runs for the 9th wicket saving their team from embarrassment. Boucher made a gritty 78 off 161 whereas Symcox scored 108 off 157 balls- the only third instance of a No. 10 batsman scoring a century in Test history!
South Africa recovered from 166/8 to 364 before bowling out Pakistan for 329. A washed-out 4th day ended the match in a draw.
10. 10th wicket- 198 runs between Joe Root and James Anderson
Date: 11th July 2014
Partners: Joe Root (154*); James Anderson (81)
Opponent: India
Venue: Nottingham, England
What do you think about the chances of a team scoring nearly 500 runs after being 298/9? Welcome to Cricket. Also, this is not the only would-you-believe-it moment of this match.
The first match of the five-Test series, India won the toss and chose to bat to rack up 457 runs, courtesy Murali Vijay (146), Dhoni (82), and a 111-run stand for the 10th wicket between Bhuvneshwar Kumar (58) and Mohammed Shami (51). Just that this was not the only prominent 10th wicket stand of the match!
Some guileful bowling by Indian pacers reduced England to 298/9. Just when many would have felt that that the visitors were about to gain a giant first-innings lead, James Anderson came to bat alongside Joe Root. From what was a losing position, the exceptional 198-run stand between these two secured England a lead of 39 runs.
The record partnership overtook the 163-run-stand between Phil Hughes and Ashton Agar. Joe Root made 154* off 295 whereas Anderson went on to make 81 off 130 and batted for 230 minutes- the longest innings in terms of duration by a No. 11. Another rare feat was two century partnerships for the 10th wicket in the same match in Test history. Also, this was the only occasion where two No. 11s (Shami and Anderson) made fifties. India scored 391/9 before declaring their second inning. The match ended in a draw.
(Stats updated till 3rd July 2020)
~Written by Pratyay Tiwari
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