Finishing big
The top five fourth-innings totals in Test cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff
19-Dec-2016
451, New Zealand v England, Christchurch, 2002
Nathan Astle smashed the fastest double-hundred, off 153 balls, in New Zealand's chase of 550. With some sumptuous clean-hitting, he added 118 with the injured Chris Cairns for the final wicket, before being dismissed for 222.•Getty Images
Nathan Astle smashed the fastest double-hundred, off 153 balls, in New Zealand's chase of 550. With some sumptuous clean-hitting, he added 118 with the injured Chris Cairns for the final wicket, before being dismissed for 222.•Getty Images
450 for 7, South Africa v India, Johannesburg, 2013
Needing 320 on day five with eight wickets in hand on a tricky pitch, it looked like South Africa would play for the draw. Hundreds from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers brought the chase alive, but their dismissals meant South Africa's tail had to opt for safety.•Getty Images
Needing 320 on day five with eight wickets in hand on a tricky pitch, it looked like South Africa would play for the draw. Hundreds from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers brought the chase alive, but their dismissals meant South Africa's tail had to opt for safety.•Getty Images
450, Pakistan v Australia, Brisbane, 2016
Dismissed for 142 in the first innings, not many would have expected Pakistan to challenge a target of 490. But Asad Shafiq's record-breaking century at No. 6, coupled with resistance from the tail, gave Australia a scare on the final day.•Getty Images
Dismissed for 142 in the first innings, not many would have expected Pakistan to challenge a target of 490. But Asad Shafiq's record-breaking century at No. 6, coupled with resistance from the tail, gave Australia a scare on the final day.•Getty Images
445 India v Australia, Adelaide, 1978
With the series level 2-2 heading into the decider, India battled hard after being set 493. Four batsmen made fifties - Nos. 1 to 10 all reached double-figures - but they fell 48 short, the then highest total in a losing cause.•Alan Purcell/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
With the series level 2-2 heading into the decider, India battled hard after being set 493. Four batsmen made fifties - Nos. 1 to 10 all reached double-figures - but they fell 48 short, the then highest total in a losing cause.•Alan Purcell/Fairfax Media via Getty Images