In over 2,000 laser 247 Test matches, a side has only triumphed after advancing four times. New Zealand made history by being the first team to accomplish the feat since 2001 in a dramatic victory over England in February 2023.
List of teams that have won a Test match after being sent back to bat in a stunning comeback.
England defeated Australia by 10 runs in Sydney in 1894.
The first occurred during the 42nd Test at Sydney Online Cricket ID Ground in Betbhai9. Australia scored 586 points in the first innings, led by George Giffen (161) and Syd Gregory (201). England responded with 325 and then 437 when given another chance to bat.
Bobby Peel defended 177 with a 6/67 spell, assisted by Johnny Briggs’ 3/25. Australia was comfortably ahead at 130/2, but they lost their final eight wickets for 36 runs, falling ten runs short.
England defeated Australia by 18 runs at Headingley in 1981.
The following incidence happened more than a century later. It was once again England versus Australia at Headingley.
Dennis Lillee (4/49), Terry Alderman (3/59), and Geoff Lawson (3/32) all contributed to Australia’s 401/9 declared victory over England. With England again in difficulty at 135/7 in the second innings, the famous Ian Botham smashed 149* to give England a tight 129-run lead.
Another legend, Bob Willis, then absolutely decimated the Australian team, bowling them out for 111 with 8/43. With this defeat, the tourists were never able to recover, losing the next two Tests as well as the 1981 Ashes series.
India defeated Australia by 171 runs in Kolkata in 2001.
One of the greatest Test triumphs of all time. After winning their previous 16 games, including the first Test of the 2001 series against India, Australia grabbed a 276-run lead in the first innings of the Test.
Even the most enthusiastic Indian fans could not have predicted what happened next. As Eden Gardens was still down by 44 runs at 232/4, VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) put together a memorable 376-run stand.
Although India scored 657/7 in their second innings, batters Betbhai9, Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, and Justin Langer bowled 21 overs in total.
India needed to defeat a tough Australia team in one day of play despite having a target of 383 to defend. Even more amazing was the fact that Australia still had seven wickets in hand at tea on day five. Sachin Tendulkar, on the other hand, demonstrated his bowling skills by taking 3/31, while Harbhajan Singh ran wild, taking 6/73 in 30.3 overs.
New Zealand defeated England by one run in Wellington in 2023.
Without a question, one of the greatest Tests of all time. Neil Wagner, who had previously played in every game of the series, rallied to give New Zealand a stunning victory.
Harry Brook and Joe Root comprehensively decimated New Zealand, leaving them at 103/7 in pursuit of England’s 435/8 score. Tim Southee (73) and Tom Blundell (38) helped trim the deficit to 216 to keep their heads above water.
England unexpectedly opted to implement the follow-on. Five of New Zealand’s top seven players scored 50 points or more in the laser book 247 second dig, with the attractive Kane Williamson leading the pace with 132 points. Nevertheless, the Black Caps lost their final four wickets for just five runs, raising the question of whether 258 was too little to beat England.