Sri Lanka hold the record for the highest-ever total in Test cricket. They scored a massive 952 runs for the loss of six wickets against India at the RPS Stadium in Colombo in 1997. 

England take the second and third spots on the list. They scored 903 for seven against Australia in 1938 and 849 against the West Indies in 1930.

The West Indies hold the fourth position, having scored 790 for three against Pakistan in 1958. This match is also famous for Sir Garfield Sobers’ unbeaten 365. 

Pakistan rank fifth in the top 10, with a score of 765 for six against Sri Lanka in 2009. In that match, Sri Lanka had initially scored 644 for seven in their first innings, with Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera both hitting double centuries. Pakistan responded strongly, with Younis Khan scoring 313 and Kamran Akmal contributing 158* to help them reach 765.

Sri Lanka appear again in the top 10, ranking sixth with a total of 760 for seven. They achieved this against India in 2009 in Ahmedabad. Mahela Jayawardene scored 275, while Tillakaratne Dilshan and Prasanna Jayawardene both made centuries to help them reach the total. India are seventh on the list, with a score of 759 for seven against England in 2016. KL Rahul was dismissed for 199, while Karun Nair became the second Indian, after Virender Sehwag, to score a triple century in Tests.

Australia are eighth, with a total of 758 for eight against the West Indies in 1955. Sri Lanka appear once more in ninth place, scoring 756 for five against South Africa in 2006. In this game, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene shared a 624-run partnership, with Sangakkara scoring 287 and Jayawardene 374. The West Indies round off the top 10, having scored 751 for five against England in 2004. Brian Lara became the first batter to score 400 runs in a Test match innings during that game.

Highest team total in Tests

1: Sri Lanka: 952/6d against India

Sri Lanka came close to reaching 1000 runs against India in 1997. India batted first and declared their innings at 537 for eight, with Navjot Sidhu, Sachin Tendulkar, and Mohammad Azharuddin all scoring centuries. In response, Sri Lanka put up a remarkable batting display. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340, Roshan Mahanama made 225, and Aravinda de Silva added 126. Sri Lanka eventually declared their innings at 952 for six, but the match ended in a draw.

2: England 903/7d against Australia

England delivered a dominant performance against their arch-rivals, Australia, in 1938, setting the previous record for the highest total in Tests—a record that stood until Sri Lanka surpassed it in 1997. Batting first, Leonard Hutton led the charge with a brilliant 364. Maurice Leyland contributed 187, and Joe Hardstaff added 169, helping England post a massive 903 for seven. In response, Australia struggled, getting bowled out for just 201 in their first innings. England enforced the follow-on and bowled them out again for just 123 in the second innings, winning the match by an innings and 579 runs.

3: England: 849 all out against West Indies

England also hold the third spot on the list, having scored 849 against the West Indies in 1930. This was the highest score in Tests at the time, until England surpassed it in 1938, and then Sri Lanka overtook both scores with their 952 against India in 1997. In the 1930 match, England batted first and delivered an outstanding performance. Andy Sandham scored a remarkable 325, while Les Ames contributed 149, helping England reach 849. West Indies were bowled out for just 286 in their first innings. England then added 272 in their second innings. The West Indies, in their second innings, managed to score 408 for five, and the match ended in a draw.