Top 3 highest Test scores by Australian batters in England

Australia and England have been battling it out for supremacy since 1876/77 when the series officially began. Since then, a lot of great players have participated in this iconic series and have made a name for themself. 

The toughest part of the Ashes series is the pressure and the pressure is immense when you are performing and playing in an away ground. Many Australian batters have batted for their country and showed their class in England and have made scores that some players can only imagine. So let’s take a look at the top three highest Test scores by Australian batters in England.

1. Don Bradman – 334 runs (Leed’s, 1930)

Don Bradman remained on the offensive as he completed his fifty out of 61 in 49 minutes. With Bradman at 81, the Australian century was completed in 80 minutes. The Australian captain took singles and gave his young star the most of the strike, which was the right move. Don Bradman used a pull-off of Harold Larwood to get his fourth hundred in as many Test matches.

In just 214 minutes, Don Bradman racked up the quickest Test double-century. Don Bradman is said to have played foolishly just twice. He evaded mid-on twice, first while he was on 141 and again when he was on 202, but he was otherwise in complete control. By tea, he had reached 220, which is simply incredible and these numbers are unfathomable in the present.

2. RB Simpson – 311 runs (Manchester, 1964)

RB Simpson’s amazing display of focused batting and stamina set a number of records. In the 107-year history of Australia, they held the record of playing the third-longest innings and the highest on the Manchester pitch. The only other Australian batsman to make a stand in a test was Sir Donald Bradman, who made 334 against England in Leeds in 1930.

The honours remained to belong to Bobby Simpson as the Australians resumed play at 570 for four. Simpson increased his total to 311 in 12 hours and 42 minutes including a 6 and 23 fours before getting disqualified as he pursued rapid runs.

3. Don Bradman – 304 runs (Leed’s,1934)

Don Bradman’s 1934 Ashes performance, in which he produced a commanding 100, was very different from his earlier Ashes innings. He and Ponsford mostly batted the whole second day in the Test match. Ponsford had lost before the end of the innings despite scoring 388 runs within 330 minutes. It continues to be Headingley’s highest partnership for any wicket. 

In 430 minutes, Bradman had amassed 304 runs; he encountered 473 balls and smashed 43 fours as well as 2 sixes. Although he was unable to surpass Hammond’s 336 or even match his own 334, it was still a great inning. He became the very first player to score two triple-hundreds and remains the sole person to have done it while playing overseas.