Which Country has lost the Most Number of Test Match in the Test History of Cricket?

Test cricket is the oldest format of cricket. A 5-day cricket match between the two international teams who are full members of the ICC is called a Test Match. It is considered a complete examination of the teams' playing ability and endurance. However, test matches consist of two innings per team, without a limit on the number of overs. In addition, it is a first-class cricket format; therefore, statistics and records set in test matches also count toward first-class records.

Test cricket didn't become officially recognized until the 1890s, but many international test matches since 1877 have been retrospectively awarded test status. Australia and England were the two big national teams that played the first test match in 1877 at Melbourne cricket ground, and Australia won that match. Since then, more than 2000 test matches have been played on 13 teams. The frequency of test cricket also steadily increases partly because of the number of test-playing countries and partly as cricket boards seek to maximize their revenue.

International Test Cricket Records:

Cricket, by nature, can generate large numbers of records and statistics. Test cricket is the longest first-class cricket format, and you can also find many records in this game format. England was the founding member of the International Cricket Council by playing the first test match against Australia. As of September 2022, it is the Country that plays more test matches than any other team in the world.

They play 1053 test matches and have won 384 matches, drawn 354, and lost 317 matches. With 36.40% of matches won, England becomes the third most successful team in the history of Test cricket, behind Australia on 47.39% and South Africa on 38.46%. England plays the highest test matches ahead of Australia, which competes for 844. Currently, Afghanistan becomes the 12th Test playing country after making their test debut against India in Bangalore.

Country that Lost the Most Number of Test Matches:

According to the consecutive numbers, England lost 317 test matches in the history of cricket. However, it is a fact that it is the only Country that plays a lot more test matches than any other test-playing country in the world. As of September 2022, England plays 1053 matches resulting in 384 wins, 317 losses, and 354 draws for an overall winning percentage of 36.40%. It is the highest winning percentage of test playing teams. In addition, England plays the highest number of Test matches, and Australia competes in 844 test matches in the history of test matches.

Test cricket, the first-class cricket format, has many records and prominent performances. One of the most prominent facts is that England is undefeated against Ireland and defeats Bangladesh in all except the one test match. Regarding test-playing nations that play more than 100 test matches, Bangladesh has lost 100 test matches out of 134. The loss percentage of Bangladesh is 74.62%.

The test cricket team of Ireland is new in the Test format of cricket. They played 3 test matches and lost all three games, so their loss rate is 100%. In the history of test matches, Australia is the most successful team that plays 830 matches, out of which they won 393 matches and 211 become draws. So, they have the best lost/win ratio in test cricket history. The W/L of Australia is 1.75. Australia has been a part of the only two tests in world cricket that ends up as a tie. In addition, the country holds the record for the most consecutive Test wins.

Luckily, they have won 16 test matches in a row twice in the history of the test match between 1999-2001 and 2005-2008. However, the winning streak of the Country was broken by India both times. Australia has won the most number of Test matches against England. Currently, it is the world-ranked # 1 Test Team.

Countries that Produce Cricketers to play at Least One Test Match:

Currently, 108 countries play cricket all around the world. In this list, 12 countries are full members of ICC, and 96 are associate members of ICC. It includes 21 African countries, 17 Americas countries, 25 Asian countries, 11 East-Asia Pacific countries, and 35 European countries. This increased number of countries makes it one of the most popular team sports.

Keep in mind that International cricket teams that qualify to play test cricket, a first-class cricket format, are known as full members of ICC. However, those countries essentially have a proper first-class cricket infrastructure. Therefore, they grant the full membership of ICC. In 2017, at the Annual Conference of ICC held in London, Afghanistan and Ireland were also got the test status, and they accept as full members of ICC.

The names of the rest of the countries that are full members of the ICC are England (1877), Australia (1877), South Africa (1889), West Indies (1928), New Zealand (1930), India (1932), Pakistan (1952), Sri Lanka (1982), Zimbabwe (1992), Bangladesh (2000), Ireland and Afghanistan (2018). Apart from this, many people were born in non-test playing countries. Those people subsequently went to play test cricket for a test playing country.

There are almost 21 such countries that produce some 412 such players. Here is the list of the countries that produce cricketers to play at least one test match, including Kenya, Malaysia, USA, Norway, Scotland (at least 11 players), Malaysia, Portugal, Italy, Egypt,

Hong Kong, Bermuda, and many more.

Criteria to Play Test Cricket:

Many people want to know about the test playing team status criteria as they know that test cricket is also a first-class cricket format that consists of 5 days. However, ICC has made the criteria to qualify as the test match playing team. In addition, an associate country needs to compete and win the International Cup, a 2-year first-class competition for associate countries.

The associate Country that wins the ICC International Cup gets the chance to compete with the lowest ranked Test team once every four years in the ICC Test Challenge. So, if the associate Country wins, they will become the Test playing nation as a reward.

Best Counter Attack Innings in the International Test Match:

Any die-hard cricket fan never forgets the blistering innings of VVS Laxman. In October 2019, at Mohali, a 35-year-old middle-order stalwart delivered a virtuoso performance to secure a win from the depth of defeat during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the effort of 2001 was nothing short of epic, VVS Laxman's innings on the final day of the first test against Australia 9 years later was equally heroic. Low-scoring games make for the best thrillers, especially when you are chasing the target and don't have many wickets left.

Chasing the target of 216 runs to go up in the two-match series, India found itself in all sorts of trouble. The team lost their 8 wickets in just 124 runs, and Australian seamers Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger had been the wreckers-in-chief as Ricky Ponting was looking for his first win as a captain on Indian soil.

They are trying their best to eliminate the tailenders or even Laxman. However, the Hyderabadi's back had become sore, necessitating the use of Suresh Raina as a runner. The script was torn, and Ishant Sharma mounted a solid resistance while his injured compatriot unleashed his signature drives and flicks. Farming the strike, VVS Laxman adds 81 runs with the lanky fast bowler before a Hilefenhaus delivery traps Sharma's leg.

It makes scoring the remaining 11 runs a little more arduous. However, Steve Smith's shyness at the stumps with Pragyan Ojha out of his crease results in four overthrows and a few scampered leg-byes delivering the win for India. In this scenario, VVS Laxman was only unbeaten on 73 runs in 79 deliveries. However, his innings are a more solid form on a counterattack than an aggressive one.

Top Fastest Test Centuries in International Test Cricket:

The game of bat and ball was given birth through test cricket way back in 1877. Test cricket, the famous first-class cricket format, is eventually the game of technique and patience. However, it is the longest format of the game, but it is also considered a game of high standards. Therefore, scoring a century in this format is considering the greatest achievement for any player. Here are some of the fastest test centuries in international test cricket.

Brenden McCullum:

He holds the record for the fastest test century in international test cricket. Brendon McCullum made his century in just 54 balls while playing against Australia in 2015. He took just 78 minutes to complete his 100. However, his overall innings conclude at 145 runs off just 79 balls. He hit 21 fours and 6 sixes in his memorable innings.

Misbah-ul-Haq:

He is one of the best and greatest players in the longest format. Misbah is also Pakistan's most successful and great captain in the longest first-class cricket format. He scores his century in just 56 deliveries against Australia at Abu Dhabi in 2014-15. He emulates the world record in just 74 balls and hits 1o fours and a six to score his century.

JM Gregory:

He is an Australian batsman that made the fastest test century in international cricket. JM Gregory reached the century in 67 balls only while playing against South Africa in 1921 at Johannesburg. He scores 119 runs in just 67 balls within just 70 minutes. He hits 19 boundaries and 2 sixes to score his century.

David Warner:

In 2012, Australian 25 years old young David Warner played a blistering knock of 104 runs in just 69 balls. He was playing against India in Perth, while his overall score was 141 runs which helped Australia to seal the series at home.

Sir Vivian Richards:

He regards as one of the legends of International cricket. Sir Vivian Richards scored the second fastest international test in the century while playing against England in 1986. He scores 110 runs off just 56 balls which consist of 7 boundaries and 7 sixes. He also holds the record for the fastest century for 30 years.

Top Test Cricket Individual Innings History of Cricket:

Test cricket is the hardest first-class cricket format of the game. It needs absolute talent for survival. Like its name, test cricket tests the skills, technique, energy, patience, and every aspect of the batter as an athlete. In addition, there are several most exceptional performances in the history of test cricket. Overall, there are 30 triple and quadruple centuries in international test cricket. The performances you learn in this article are performances that either win the team a game or save a game from improbable situations.

Brian Lara:

A legendary West Indian batter Brian Lara smashed a quadruple century in international test cricket. It was the 4th test England tour of West Indies in 2004. West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first. Brian Lara was the skipper and came to crease at number three and scored a mammoth individual score of 400. He hits 43 fours and 4 sixes in his overall innings. The left-hand batter stays on the crease for 778 minutes, around 13 hours. It irritated the England bowlers, but the 37 years old batsman had to play 582 balls to get the feat. West Indies declares their innings at a massive score of 751/5.

Hanif Muhammad:

Pakistan's greatest batter Hanif Muhammad made it to history when he scored 337 runs against West Indies. It was the first match of the series of 5 test matches in 1958 in the West Indies. The host team wins the toss and chooses to bat first at Kensington Oval Stadium, Bridgetown, Barbados. They declare their first innings at a massive total of 579/9. Then, Pakistan could do better as they bow out for 106 runs. Hanif Muhammad opens the inning for his national side and scores 337 runs while hitting the 24 boundaries. Per the record, he stays on the crease for 970 minutes, almost 16 hours. It is also the longest time duration in the history of the longest first-class cricket format so far.

Matthew Hayden:

He is a famous Australian batter that scored more than a triple hundred during the Zimbabwe tour of Australia in 2003. It was the first test match of the series of two matches at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field first. Matthew Hayden opens the innings with Justin Langer and scores a massive score of 380 runs. He hits 38 fours and 11 sixes in his overall innings. He was there, on the field, batting for 622 minutes, almost 10 and a half hours, scoring runs at a strike rate of 86.95.

Conclusion:

Cricket is one of the most played games in the world. It is a game of 11 players per team. Test cricket is the longest first-class cricket format, but there are many exceptional performances and great records in the history of test cricket. You can not only see the player who plays massive innings, but also some teams set the records. Apart from good records, there is also a country that lost the most test matches in the test history of cricket.