Except for the West Indies, who hold the record for the highest run-chase in the fourth innings, no Test team has ever achieved the feat of scoring so many runs.

Australia’s most successful run-chase in the fourth innings is 404 for 3 recorded against England at Leeds in 1948 and with the hosts having already lost two wickets the target looks even more daunting.

Out of the top five successful chases in the fourth innings, the Australians find themselves at three places in the list, 369 for 6 versus Pakistan at Hobart in 1999-00 and 362 for 7 against the West Indies at Georgetown in 1976-77 being the two other occasion.

The West Indies hold the record of 418 runs, achieved against Australia at St John’s in 2002-03 while India are the second in the list with their 406-4 against the Caribbeans at Port-of-Spain in 1975-76.

The WACA, where the pitch is regarded as the fastest in the world, has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts. But even here their most successful fourth innings achievement is 342-8 against India in 1977-78.