Top 5 Closest Test Match Wins in Cricket History

There is something very satisfying about close-fought cricket matches that are won by the narrowest of margins. Monday saw India secure the narrowest win in their Test history against England with just 6 runs.

This iconic match at The Oval has all cricket fans eagerly anticipating the next cricketing masterclass. Let’s have a look at some of the closest-fought matches in Test history.

5. Australia vs. England, 1982 (3 Runs)

• Winner: England
• Date: December 26 – 30, 1982
• Target: 292
• Venue: Melbourne
• Best Bowler: Norman Cowans 6/77

There are probably very few things that sound better to a cricket fan than watching the Ashes on Christmas. The Boxing Day Test on December 26th lived up to these expectations.

Australia was leading the series 2-0, and England needed a win to stay alive in the Ashes. On the fourth evening, Australia was at 218-9 and 74 runs away from victory.

Expecting an easy finish, the English bowlers allowed Allan Border singles to bring Jeff Thomson, the No. 11, on strike. However, the pair stood firm, bringing the targeted score to just four runs. With victory in sight, Thomson went for a big shot off Ian Botham. He edged the shot, and it fell to the second slip.

4. England vs. Australia, 1902 (3 Runs)

• Winner: Australia
• Date: July 24 – 26, 1902
• Target: 124
• Venue: Manchester
• Best Bowler: Hugh Trumble 6/53

This match stands as the smallest Test cricket victory pre-WWII. The second innings saw England as favourites as Lockwood’s exceptional bowling took down the top order.

Bill Lockwood took 11 wickets in this match. England needed only 124 to win and began well as they reached 68/2. England collapsed after that, losing 8 wickets and scoring only 52 more runs, finishing the innings on 120.

3. England vs. Australia, 2005 (2 Runs)

• Winner: England
• Date: August 04 – 07, 2005
• Target: 282
• Venue: Birmingham
• Best Bowler: Andrew Flintoff 4/79

One of the greatest matches in Test history, as Australia nearly pulled off an incredible comeback. They faced a mountainous 107 runs with only two wickets remaining.

After Shane Warne went out for a battling 42, it was up to Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz. However, Brett Lee’s impressive 43 not out was not enough for Flintoff’s man-of-the-match performance.

2. New Zealand vs. England, 2023 (1 Run)

• Winner: New Zealand
• Date: February 24 – 28, 2023
• Target: 258
• Venue: Wellington
• Best Bowler: Neil Wagner 4/62

New Zealand became only the second team in Test cricket history to achieve the feat of a one-run victory. Joe Root’s knock of 95 kept England’s hopes alive, but a fall of lower-order wickets saw them eventually crumble.

1. Australia vs. West Indies, 1993 (1 Run)

• Winner: West Indies
• Date: January 23 – 26, 1993
• Target: 186
• Venue: Adelaide
• Best Bowler: Curtly Ambrose 4/26

The West Indies team kept their 13-year unbeaten Test streak alive by pulling off the improbable against the Aussies. This was the first one-run victory in Test cricket and stood as the only one for 30 years.

Summary Table: Closest Margin Wins in Test Cricket by Runs

Conclusion

Test cricket time and time again proves to be the ultimate examination for cricketing ability. It requires concentration, decision-making, mental awareness, attitude, skill, and stamina.

These Test matches were the ultimate showdowns in this regard, pushing each team to its maximum capacity. India’s iconic triumph over England by just 6 runs, only just about made it into the Top 10 of this list.

Written by: Thillai Ritvik