In its illustrious history, the
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has hosted 117 Test matches. Countless memorable
performances have occurred over the years, with the Boxing Day Test being one
of the most important events on the Australian sporting calendar.
Batting last at this venue has
frequently proven difficult over the years. However, there have been some
spectacular run chases at Melbourne's famous MCG. The top five will be
discussed in this article.
Top 5 highest successful run
chases in Tests at the MCG
1. England 332/7 vs Australia,
1928
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The only successful run chase of
more than 300 at the MCG occurred in 1928. England took a 20-run lead in the
first innings thanks to Wally Hammond's 200 in their 417-run total. Australia
then responded with a solid 351 with tonnes from William Woodfull (107) and Sir
Donald Bradman (112). But Herbert Sutcliffe had the final say, hitting 135 off
462 balls in the fourth innings to help seal the chase with three In terms of
recent chases, India was the most recent team to win batting last at the MCG.
They only needed 70 votes to win in 2020. Australia's previous successful chase
was in the 2013/14 Ashes, when they scored 231 with eight wickets to spare. The
most since 1953? In 1961, Australia scored 258/8 against the West Indies.wickets
to spare.
2. England 298/4 vs Australia,
1895
England won the fifth Test of the
1894-95 Ashes series. Australia lost despite scoring 414 in the first innings,
with top scorers Joseph Darling (74) and Syd Gregory (70). England responded
with 385 runs, led by Archibald MacLaren (120), to stay close to par in the
first innings.
Thomas Richardson (6/104) toiled effectively for 45.2 overs in the crucial third innings, helping Australia be dismissed for 267. In response, Albert Ward (93) and John Brown (140) combined for 210 for the third wicket, effectively sealing the chase.
3. South Africa 297/4 vs
Australia, 1953
Throughout their cricketing history,
South Africa has blessed fans with magnificent players. That was the case in
1953, when the tourists chased down their 295-run target with six wickets to
spare.
The South African batting order made
contributions throughout the Test. They have five half-centuries in their
435-run first-innings total, compared to Australia's massive 520. Then, Edward
Fuller (5/66) contributed to a third-innings heist by dismissing the
Australians for just 209, paving the way for South Africa to win. William
Endean (70) and Roy McLean (76*) led the way to victory in the end.
4. Australia 287/5 vs England,
1929
During the 1929 MCG Test against
England, Sir Donald Bradman hit one of his 29 total Test centuries. After
England scored a massive 519 in their first innings, Australia responded with
491 to keep the game alive. The Australians then knocked England over for 257,
led by Thomas Wall's 5/66, leaving them with 286 to chase.
All seven of Australia's batsmen
scored in the double digits in the fourth innings, with John Ryder (57* off 172
balls) and Sir Donald Bradman (37* off 89 balls) putting on an unbroken 83-run
stand to seal the five-wicket win.
5. England 282/9 vs Australia,
1908
The fifth-highest successful run
chase in Tests at the MCG dates back to 1908. England won a nail-biter, chasing
282 with one wicket to spare thanks to contributions from all over the batting
order. In fact, only George Gunn (0) was disqualified for a single digit score,
with Frederick Fane leading the way with 50. Then, for the final wicket, the
great Sydney Barnes (38*) and Arthur Fielder (18*) paired for 39 runs.
Earlier in the Test, England took a
116-run lead thanks to Kenneth Hutchings' 126. Australia then responded with
five half-centuries, leaving the tourists with 282 to win.
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