England need to complete a record-breaking chase to keep their Ashes 2025/26 hopes alive: here's the full list of highest successful chases in Test history.
England chasing world record in Adelaide
Two-down in the Ashes heading into the third Test at Adelaide, England were set a would-be world record target to keep the series alive. The tourists seemed to have Australia under control at 94-4 in the first innings, but a century by Alex Carey at No.6 (helped by a Snicko controversy) took the hosts to 371, helped along by a fifty from Mitchell Starc. In response, England looked in danger of folding under 200, and were 168-8 at one point, before a Ben Stokes-Jofra Archer partnership carried them to 286.
Travis Head headlined Australia's second innings, scoring a commanding 170, and with help from Carey again (72), took them past 300. They eventually set England a total of 435. With a whole day still to go, and England having put on one of their best batting platforms of the tour, a remarkable effort cannot yet be ruled out. But Stokes' side would have to play out of their skins and beat the world record to stay afloat in the series.
If completed, it will not just be the highest ever run-chase in Ashes history, but in Test cricket overall. It would also equal the highest chase in international cricket, with South Africa having hauled in Australia's first-innings total of 434-4 by one wicket with one ball remaining in the famous '438 game', a 2006 ODI series decider.
3rd Test, Australia vs England
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Highest successful chases in Test history
| Team | Opposition | Winning total | Year |
| West Indies | v Australia | 418-7 | 2003 |
| South Africa | v Australia | 414-4 | 2008 |
| India | v West Indies | 406-4 | 1976 |
| Australia | v England | 404-3 | 1948 |
| West Indies | v Bangladesh | 395-7 | 2021 |
| Sri Lanka | v Zimbabwe | 391-6 | 2017 |
| India | v England | 387-4 | 2008 |
| Pakistan | v Sri Lanka | 382-3 | 2015 |
| England | v India | 378-3 | 2022 |
| England | v India | 373-5 | 2025 |
In fact, it will be the highest chase in all internationals, and would beat South Africa's famous ODI chase (434) against Australia in 2006.
Earlier this year, against India, England completed the 10th highest successful chase, just under their 378-run chase against the same opposition three years ago.
Highest successful chases in Ashes history
In the Ashes, a 400+ total has been chased down only once, 77 years ago, when Don Bradman's 'Invincibles' completed a 404-run chase. Bradman himself starred with 173, putting on a 301-run stand with Arthur Morris (182).
| Team | Winning total | Year | Ground |
| Australia | 404-3 | 1948 | Leeds |
| England | 362-9 | 2019 | Leeds |
| England | 332-7 | 1928 | Melbourne |
| Australia | 315-6 | 1902 | Adelaide |
| England | 315-4 | 2001 | Melbourne |
At the Adelaide Oval, a 300+ run chase has been successful exactly once, when Australia beat England in 1902.
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