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Cricket News: List of highest successful run chases in Tests at the SCG | What is the highest run chase at the SCG?
The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has played host to 113 Test matches, with the first taking place way back in 1882. Sydney has traditonally been the ground in Australia that aids spin the most, which is reflective of the difficulty teams typically have in the fourth innings.
200+ has been successfully chased down just six times on this ground in history. Here is a look at the top five, including the years they were achieved and the context behind them.
Top 5 highest successful run chases at the SCG
5. Australia 219/4 vs England, 1980
Greg Chappell struck 98* in the fourth innings to guide Australia to a six-wicket win in the second Test of the 1979/80 Ashes series. It was an outstanding performance given the low-scoring nature of this game, with the first innings yielding scores of just 123 for England and 145 for Australia.
David Gower struck his own brilliant 98* in the second innings to guide England to 237, leaving the Australians with 216 to get. At 3/98, Australia needed a partnership, and Chappell combined with Kim Hughes (47) to help guide the hosts home in 85.3 overs.
4. Australia 260/6 vs New Zealand, 1985
New Zealand’s 1985/86 tour of Australia is remembered for Richard Hadlee’s superb haul of 33 wickets at an average of 12.15 that led the tourists to a famous 2-1 series win. In between their wins in the first and third Tests, Australia chased down 260 to level the series at Sydney after a hard-fought contest.
Australia had to fight back from a 63-run deficit in the first innings. Spinners Bob Holland (4/68 off 41 overs), Ray Bright (3/39 off 17.5 overs) and Greg Matthews (2/55 off 30 overs) led the way on a surface aiding spin to restrict New Zealand to 193.
But, a fourth innings chase of 260 looked tough. Wayne Phillips (63) and David Boon (81) got Australia to 1/131. But, they were reduced to 5/192, before David Hookes (38*) and Matthews (32) helped steer the ship towards safety.
3. Australia 275/8 vs England, 1907
The 1907 Test between Australia and England was neck and neck. England hit 273 in their first innings courtesy of George Gunn’s 119. Australia responded with 300 thanks to contributions right down the order, led by Clem Hill’s 87, to take a 27-run lead.
England then responded with their own 300. Gunn was strong again (74), combining with Joe Hardstaff (63) to take England to 3/218. But, Australia took the final seven wickets for 82 to leave the target at 274.
In the end, England were left to wonder how they didn’t win. They reduced the hosts to 5/95, 6/124 and then 7/185. But, Peter McAlister (41), Sammy Carter (61), Tibby Cotter (33*) and Gerrt Hazlitt (34*), all batting below number seven, struck 30+ scores to seal a brilliant two-wicket win.
2. Australia 276/4 vs England, 1898
The second-highest successful chase at the SCG was way back 1898. Australia chased 276 with ease to seal the series 4-1, with Joe Darling taking the England attack to all parts for his 160 in just 171 minutes.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing beforehand, though. England bowled Australia out for 239, taking a first innings lead of 96. Tom Richardson took an incredible 8/94 off 36.1 overs. In the second dig, England left the door open, accumulating just 178 to leave Australia with 275 to win. Darling, along with Jack Worrall (62), made light work of it.
1. Australia 288/2 vs South Africa, 2006
Ricky Ponting at his peak. The Australian captain at the time became the first player in history to hit two centuries in his 100th Test. He struck 120 in the first innings followed by a glorious 143* in the second to guide Australia to what remains the highest total in successful run chases at the SCG.
South Africa, trailing 1-0 ahead of the final game of the three-match series, hit 9/451d in the first dig. Australia responded with 359, before South Africa went harder in the second innings to try force a result. They declared at 6/194, leaving the Australians with 287 to win.
After Charl Langeveldt dismissed Justin Langer with the score at 30, the Proteas never had a sniff as Ponting and Matthew Hayden (90) broke the back of the chase with a mammoth 182-run stand.
