Australia will have to register their highest successful run-chase at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground to win the ongoing first Ashes 2023 Test match against England. Four wickets apiece from the Australia captain Pat Cummins (4/63) and off-spinner Nathan Lyon (4/80) have placed the visitors right back into the contest as an exciting final day’s play awaits the fans.
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It was this very English side which had accomplished a record run-chase in Birmingham Test just the previous year in July against India. In fact, they are the only side to have chased down a target in excess of the 300-run mark across the 55 Tests in the city since the year 1902.
Having said that, Australia can take inspiration from their experience during Ashes 2005 when they were in a nearly similar situation during the fourth innings of the match at this venue. Chasing a 282-run target back then, the Aussies had agonizingly fallen short by 2 runs as England registered a win for the ages.
As for the ongoing match, Australia are required to chase down a target of 281 runs. With seven wickets in the bank, the Cummins-led side require another 174 runs on Day 5.
Record Run Chase In Birmingham Tests (updated)
As mentioned above, England had registered a record run-chase in Birmingham during the fifth Test against India in 2022. Individual centuries from Joe Root (142*) and Jonny Bairstow (114*) during the fourth innings had helped them in sealing a record run chase, with seven wickets still remaining in the bank.
If Australia are to win tomorrow, they will have to accomplish a joint second-highest successful run-chase in the format at this venue.
| S.No. | Target | Team | Opposition | Year |
| 1 | 378 | England | India | 2022 |
| 2 | 281 | South Africa | England | 2008 |
| 3 | 281 | Australia | England | 2023 |
| 4 | 208 | England | New Zealand | 1999 |
| 5 | 152 | West Indies | England | 1991 |
Highest 4th Innings Score At Edgbaston (updated)
Australia are placed on the third spot in the list of highest 4th innings score at Edgbaston. Tail-enders in Shane Warne (42), Brett Lee (43) and Michael Kasprowicz (20) had managed to pull of off a near miracle 18 years ago.
However, as mentioned above, they had lost the match by 2 runs as Kasprowicz couldn’t get out of the way of a Steve Harmison bouncer and got caught by the wicket-keeper.
| S.No. | Score | Team | Opposition | Year |
| 1 | 378/3 | England | India | 2022 |
| 2 | 283/5 | South Africa | England | 2008 |
| 3 | 282/8 | Australia | England | 2023 |
| 4 | 279 | Australia | England | 2005 |
| 5 | 277 | India | England | 1967 |
