Stat Attack: Highest-Ever Team Totals Without Any Batsman Scoring A Century 1

During the ongoing second Test against West Indies at Headingley, England achieved a unique record in its second innings. After being bowled out for 258 in the first innings and conceding a massive 169-run lead following West Indies’ first innings total of 427, the hosts came with an ultimate team performance to not only bail themselves out of trouble but also gave themselves a real chance of winning the Test.

Riding on half-centuries from Mark Stoneman, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, the home side put up a mammoth 490 for 8 (declared) to set West Indies a daunting target of 322. In doing so, England achieved a couple of unique and interesting record. The score of 490 for 8 declared is now England’s highest total in Test cricket without any of their batsman making a century, surpassing the 477 it had scored against South Africa in 1994 when its highest-scorer Mike Atherton was dismissed for 99.

Stat Attack: Highest-Ever Team Totals Without Any Batsman Scoring A Century 2
Moeen Ali led England’s charge in second innings (Credits: Getty)

England also recorded the highest total in the second innings of a Test match without a ton which was previously held by Australia, who had scored 476 against England in 1911-12

Meanwhile, England’s 490 for 8 is only the fifth-highest total in the list of highest team total without any batsman scoring a century. The record is held by India who had scored a massive 524 for 9 (declared) against New Zealand in 1976. As many as six Indian batsmen had crossed the fifty-run mark but none of them could convert it into a century with Mohinder Amarnath’s 70-run knock being the highest score.

Here is the top 5 list:

Team Total Opposition Year
India 524/9 New Zealand 1976
Australia 520/7 West Indies 2009
South Africa 517 Australia 1998
Pakistan 500/8 Australia 1981
England 490/8 West Indies 2017