England face a formidable challenge at Headingley, needing 371 runs to win the first Test against India. After conceding a big second-innings lead, England’s openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett ensured they finished Day 4 at 21 for no loss, keeping hopes alive for what would be a historic chase. With Headingley famous for some of Test cricket’s most dramatic fourth-innings run chases, all eyes are on whether England can script another thrilling finish. Headingley cricket ground in Leeds has witnessed some of cricket’s most memorable run chases in Test match history, with Australia’s pursuit of 404 runs against England in 1948 standing as the highest successful chase at this venue. The historic ground has hosted five remarkable fourth-innings victories, showcasing extraordinary batting performances and match-winning partnerships that have left an indelible mark on Test cricket. The highest successful run chase at Headingley came in 1948 when Australia, led by Don Bradman, achieved a target of 404 runs with seven wickets to spare. Bradman’s unbeaten 173 and Arthur Morris’s 182 formed a partnership of 301 runs that secured this historic victory for Australia.
The second-highest chase occurred in 2019 when England successfully pursued 362 runs against Australia. Ben Stokes emerged as the hero with an unbeaten 135 off 219 balls, forming a crucial last-wicket partnership with Jack Leach, who contributed just one run to the cause. West Indies achieved the third-highest chase in 2017, successfully reaching a target of 322 runs with five wickets remaining. Shai Hope’s twin centuries and Kraigg Brathwaite’s significant contribution helped the West Indies secure a memorable victory on English soil. The fourth spot belongs to England’s chase of 315 against Australia in 2001. Mark Butcher’s outstanding innings of 173 runs from 227 deliveries guided England to victory despite a shaky start at 33 for 2. The fifth-highest successful chase at Headingley was completed by England against New Zealand in 2022, when they reached the target of 296 with seven wickets in hand. Joe Root and Ollie Pope’s partnership of 134 runs off 168 balls proved crucial after England lost both openers with only 51 runs on the board.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? These successful chases at Headingley have featured remarkable individual performances. Don Bradman’s unbeaten 173 in 1948, Ben Stokes’ 135 not out in 2019, and Mark Butcher’s 173 in 2001 stand as some of the finest fourth-innings batting displays at this ground. The venue has particularly been favourable for England, who feature in four of the five highest successful chases. Three of these victories came against their traditional rivals Australia, while the other was against New Zealand. The success rate of teams batting fourth at Headingley demonstrates the ground’s potential for producing exciting finishes. The pitch characteristics and conditions have often allowed batting teams to successfully chase substantial targets. These historic chases have often involved significant partnerships. The 301-run partnership between Bradman and Morris in 1948, the last-wicket stand between Stokes and Leach in 2019, and the Root-Pope partnership in 2022 exemplify how crucial partnerships have been in successful pursuits at this venue. Each of these five chases has contributed to Headingley’s reputation as a ground capable of producing dramatic Test matches with successful fourth-innings pursuits. With a 371-run target now set, England’s current team has a chance to add its name to this famous list — but it will take something truly special to do so.
