The 7 worst innings defeats in Tests: Zimbabwe sink to their all-time low

Jonhenry Wilson
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Brendan Taylor walks
Zimbabwe suffered their biggest innings defeat in Tests in August 2025.

What are the largest margins of victory – by an innings – in Tests? Find out more about the biggest innings wins in Test cricket.

Zimbabwe succumbed to one of the worst innings defeats in Test match cricket history in August 2025.

1. England beat Australia – innings and 589 runs

  • Venue: The Oval
  • Year: 1938

This is also the biggest innings victory in the history of the Ashes. The record has stood for nearing 100 years. England declared their first innings on 903 for seven – it still the second-highest Test total in the history of Test cricket.

The Aussies replied with 201 and 123 all out. Bill Bowes and Ken Farnes were the destroyers in-chief with the ball, but the match will be remembered for Len Hutton’s incredible triple-century.

2. Australia beat South Africa – innings and 360 runs

  • Venue: Wanderers
  • Year: 2002

This is Australia’s biggest innings victory in Tests and the largest margin in South Africa. The Proteas had been back in international cricket for a decade by the time the Aussies visited in 2002.

But the hosts looked entirely out of place, as Adam Gilchrist nailed one of the most entertaining double-centuries in Test match cricket, while Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne individually and collectively undid the hapless opposition.

3. New Zealand beat Zimbabwe – innings and 359 runs

  • Venue: Bulawayo
  • Year: 2025

Zimbabwe’s worst was the innings and 301-run defeat they fell to at the hands of New Zealand in Napier in 2012. But 13 years, there was worse to come in the veteran Brendan Taylor’s first Test back in almost four years.

Interestingly, all of Zimbabwe’s three worst innings defeats have come at the hands of the Black Caps. The Zimbabweans have also collected multiple other innings defeats in Bulawayo and Harare.

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4. West Indies beat India – innings and 336 runs

  • Venue: Eden Gardens
  • Year: 1958

This is India’s largest ever innings defeat in Tests. It is also the biggest innings victory in India – a tremendous achievement by the West Indies, who otherwise haven’t had a lot to laud in the last decade or two.

Rohan Kanhai hit a double-century, while Basil Butcher and Garry Sobers also reached three figures before Roy Gilchrist’s third-innings six-for completed this hefty result.

5. Australia beat England – innings and 332 runs

  • Venue: Brisbane
  • Year: 1946

Australia got one back over England this time. This remains the biggest innings victory in Australia, almost eight decades later. The hosts compiled 645 before dismissing the English for 141 and 172.

Don Bradman put in a daddy hundred. Keith Miler and Ernie Toshack capitalised against England’s poor batting with a seven- and six-for, respectively. Australia, indeed, somewhat avenged the pain of eight years prior, listed first in this top seven.

6. Pakistan beat New Zealand – innings and 324 runs

  • Venue: Lahore
  • Year: 2002

New Zealand feature three times on this top seven list – twice in defeat. This is the first. Pakistan is a tough place to play Test cricket for even the best teams. Stephen Fleming’s tourists completely flopped.

Pakistan amassed 643 on the back of a triple-ton from Inzamam-ul-Haq. Pace ace Shoaib Akhtar then delivered a first-innings six-for before leg-spinner Danish Kaneria collected five in the second.

7. West Indies beat New Zealand – innings and 322 runs

  • Venue: Wellington
  • Year: 1995

Here’s another enormous win for the men from the Caribbean. This is still New Zealand’s biggest Test innings defeat at home. Jimmy Adams, Brian Lara and Junior Murray all hit centuries in a total of 660 for five declared.

The best the Black Caps could put together in reply was 216 and 122. Courtney Walsh was near unstoppable en route to 13 wickets and the player of the match award.

Largest victory margins by an innings in Tests – top 7 summary

1. England beat Australia – innings and 589 runs
2. Australia beat South Africa – innings and 360 runs
3. New Zealand beat Zimbabwe – innings and 359 runs
4. West Indies beat India – innings and 336 runs
5. Australia beat England – innings and 332 runs
6. Pakistan beat New Zealand – innings and 324 runs
7. West Indies beat New Zealand – innings and 322 runs

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