Over the years, Leeds, Headingley has been a difficult place to bat in the third innings. Insidsport tracks the highest score in the last 15 years, and also India’s returns.
India has had a mixed bag, when it comes to Test results in Leeds, Headingley. In 7 matches played against England at the venue, the visitors have won two matches (1986, 2002) and lost four, while only one has ended in a draw. Going straight to the point, in the current match between IND and ENG, the third innings has already begun on the third day, and the result could go either way, with Shubman Gill’s side batting again, after the home side scored 465, conceding a lead of 6 runs.
Tough Ask Ahead of Indian Batters
| Team | Score | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England vs West Indies | 490/8 | 2017 |
| Sri Lanka vs England | 457 | 2014 |
| New Zealand vs England | 454/8d | 2015 |
| England vs Australia | 349 | 2010 |
| England vs New Zealand | 326 | 2022 |
Hence, it becomes imperative to look at the best third innings scores in the last decade and a half, and how teams fared, and how challenging the pitch becomes to bat on. For the record, the last time the two teams played at this venue in 2021, India had scored 278 runs in the third innings, while the team lost the match by an innings and 76 runs.
India at Leeds Has Been a Mixed Bag
| Year | Score |
|---|---|
| 1952 | 165 |
| 1959 | 149 |
| 1967 | 510 |
| 1986 | 237 |
| 2021 | 278 |
Meanwhile, the highest third innings score at this venue since 2010, is held by England, who scored 490/8 vs West Indies in 2017. That is followed by Sri Lanka’s 457 vs England in 2014. New Zealand scored 454/8d in 2015, while Australia scored 349 in 2010. However, the highest score ever at this venue has come by India, 510 way back in 1967. South Africa had scored 500 in 1955.
If one just talks about India’s totals (all) at Headingley, then they have played 5 innings. Their lowest has been 165 in 1952. Then in 1959 they managed 149. In 1986 they scored 237 and yet went on to win the match.
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