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Largest 1st innings lead in Test history ft. SL vs NZ 1st Test

Largest 1st innings lead in Test history ft. SL vs NZ 1st Test

Now, the red-ball season is gaining hype, and deservedly so, with Sri Lanka performing magic at Galle as they register a massive first-innings lead against the Black Caps, New Zealand.

The Test season is getting intense, whereas the India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test is facing a rain threat. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is thrashing New Zealand in the second Test at Galle, having scored a massive 602 runs and batted for two days in total, thanks to Kamindu Mendis’ stellar ton. And then Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris cleaned up the Kiwi batting on Day 3, resulting in New Zealand being bundled out for just 88, with Sri Lanka gaining a lead of 514 runs. Now, believe it or not, it’s a massive lead! See the full list of the largest 1st innings leads in Test cricket.

Largest 1st innings lead in Test

Runs LeadTeam 1 (Innings)Team 2 (Innings)VenueYear
702England (903-7d)Australia (201)Kennington Oval, Kennington1938
587South Africa (169)Sri Lanka (756-5d)Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo2006
570Pakistan (643)New Zealand (73)Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore2002
563England (849)West Indies (286) †Sabina Park, Kingston1929/30
514Sri Lanka
(602)
New Zealand
(88)
Galle International Stadium2024
509England (173)South Africa (682-6d)Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John’s Wood2003
504Australia (645)England (141)Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba1946/47
498Bangladesh (232)Sri Lanka (730-6d)Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur2013/14
496Australia (735-6d)Zimbabwe (239)Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth2003/04
493Australia (652-7d)South Africa (159)New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg2001/02
492India (610-3d)Bangladesh (118)Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur2007
490West Indies (614-5d)India (124)Eden Gardens, Calcutta1958/59
488Bangladesh (89)Sri Lanka (577-6d)Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo2007
486India (224)England (710-7d)Edgbaston, Birmingham2011
485Zimbabwe (228)Sri Lanka (713-3d)Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo2004
484India (136)South Africa (620-4d)SuperSport Park, Centurion2010/11
481Bangladesh (234)New Zealand (715-6d)Seddon Park, Hamilton2018/19
478India (631-7d)West Indies (153)Eden Gardens, Kolkata2011/12
476Pakistan (708)England (232)Kennington Oval, Kennington1987
473West Indies (579-9d)Pakistan (106)Kensington Oval, Bridgetown1957/58
468India (191)Australia (659-4d)Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney2011/12
468India (649-9d)West Indies (181)Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot2018/19
466West Indies (751-5d)England (285)Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s2003/04
465South Africa (622-9d)Australia (157)Kingsmead, Durban1969/70
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