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Finishing big

The top five fourth-innings totals in Test cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff
654 for 5, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62657.html" target="_blank">England v South Africa, Durban, 1939</a><br> The last timeless Test to be played went on for ten days, but still ended in a draw. England, 42 short of their target, had to abandon their chase since they had a train to catch to Cape Town, from where they had to take the ship back home.  ESPNcricinfo Ltd
451, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63981.html" target="_blank">New Zealand v England, Christchurch, 2002</a><br>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
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450 for 7, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/648665.html" target="_blank">South Africa v India, Johannesburg, 2013</a><br>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, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1000881.html" target="_blank">Pakistan v Australia, Brisbane, 2016</a><br>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 <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63199.html" target="_blank">India v Australia, Adelaide, 1978</a><br>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
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