Despite a first-innings lead of 204, New Zealand decided to bat again against England in the third Test of the three-match series, at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. They did not declare but batted until they were bowled out a second time, for 453.

Chasing 658 – a target that has never been scored by a side batting fourth in Test cricket irrespective of outcome – England were 18-2 at stumps. With eight wickets in hand, Ben Stokes injured, two days of cricket left, and a world record to overhaul, things look bleak for England.

No team has successfully chased even remotely close to that target, or anything within 240 runs of that. England did make 654-5 at Durban in 1939-40, but that was in a timeless Test match on a featherbed of a surface.

Highest successful fourth-innings chases in men’s Test cricket

- The highest fourth-innings score in a draw is England’s 654-5 against South Africa at Durban in 1939-40. They were chasing 696, but had to leave by the next boat.
- In a defeat, the highest is New Zealand’s 451 at Christchurch in 2001-02. They were chasing 550 against England.
- In the two tied Test matches, Australia made 232 against the West Indies at Brisbane in 1960-61 and India 348 at Madras against Australia in 1986-87.
- Australia’s chase of 198-3 against England at Sydney in 2010-11 is the highest successful chase in women’s Test matches. There have been nine chases in excess of 200 – eight in draws, one in defeat.
- England’s 654-5, mentioned above, is also the highest fourth-innings total in first-class cricket. The highest in a win is 541-7 (West Zone against South Zone at Hyderabad in 2009-10); in a tie, 592 (Glamorgan against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in 2024); in a defeat, 604 (Maharashtra against Bombay at Poona in 1948-49).

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