Explore five of the most memorable partnerships in Test cricket history, where players showcased resilience, skill, and unmatched teamwork. These iconic stands set records, thrilled fans, and forever changed the landscape of the game with their historic achievements.
5. Bill Ponsford and Don Bradman
The legendary pair of Bill Ponsford and Don Bradman formed one of the most historic partnerships in Test cricket. The two Australians added 451 runs for the second wicket against England at the Oval in 1934. Considered to be the greatest batsman in the history of the game, Bradman contributed 244 runs while Ponsford added 266. The partnership is one of the oldest records in Test cricket and is a great example of Bradman’s unrivalled dominance in his era.
4. Joe Root and Harry Brooke
It happened on 10 October 2024, when England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook added 454 runs for the fourth wicket against Pakistan in the Multan Test. Root continued his brilliant form in the red ball format with a 262-run partnership, while at the other end his partner Harry Brook established his unmatched dominance in Pakistani conditions by scoring a triple century. Their partnership helped England score 823 runs in the second innings, which is reminiscent of England’s aggressive intent in the modern era.
3. Andrew Jones and Martin Crowe
In a marathon effort in Wellington in 1991, Andrew Jones and Martin Crowe added 467 runs for the third wicket against Sri Lanka. The partnership remains the highest in New Zealand cricket history. Crowe scored 299 but missed out on scoring New Zealand’s first triple century. Meanwhile, Jones patiently scored 186, ensuring that the partnership stood the test of time and New Zealand scored 671 before declaring the innings.
2. Roshan Mahanama and Sanath Jayasuriya
Roshan Mahanama and Sanath Jayasuriya added 576 runs for the second wicket against India in August 1997. Their partnership helped Sri Lanka post a mammoth 952/6, the highest team score in Test cricket history. Jayasuriya scored 340 while Mahanama contributed 225, giving the Indian bowlers one of the toughest challenges in Test history.
1. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene
The greatest partnership in the history of Test cricket was made by two Sri Lankan greats, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Batting in Colombo in July 2006, the duo shared a magnificent 624-run partnership for the third wicket against South Africa. This brilliant partnership helped Sri Lanka post a mammoth 756/5 in the first innings and secure an innings victory. Jayawardene scored 374, the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan at the time, while Sangakkara contributed 287 runs.