6 instances when teams lost despite scoring 500 in the first innings

#4 South Africa beat Australia by 6 wickets, Melbourne, 1953

Roy McLean(left) and Hugh Tayfield starred for South Africa in their famous win

Australia 1^st innings score – 520 all out

South Africa toured Australia in the 1952/53 season for a 5-match Test series which turned out to be an exciting affair. With the home side leading 2-1 after the first 4 Tests, the final one at Melbourne was a must-win game for the visitors.

The Australians batted brilliantly in the 1^st innings of the match led by Neil Harvey’s 205 and recorded a score of 520. The Proteas responded strongly by putting 435 on the board, thanks to half-centuries from as many as 5 of their batsmen.

A five-wicket haul by pacer Eddie Fuller ensured that Australia were all out for 209 in their 2^nd innings, leaving South Africa with a target of 295 runs to win the match. An unbeaten 76 by Roy McLean accompanied by fifties from Russell Endean and John Watkins saw them home with 6 wickets in hand.

The victory meant that the South Africans denied the Aussies a series win by drawing level 2-2.