Test cricket is synonymous with runs and more runs. A team always tends to score as many as it can to put pressure on the opposition. Hence, in the rich history of almost 150 years of test cricket, there have been a few instances when a team went on to score tons of runs in their innings.
But in this article, we will cover the most runs ever scored on the second day of a Test match. And this list includes some of a team’s best batting performances. England recently broke all batting records on the first day of a test against Pakistan on December 1, 2022. And they are also sitting at the top of this list.
5. England (492/8) vs South Africa in Aug 1935
England has scored the fifth most runs on Day 2 of a test match. It came against South Africa when they scored 492/8 on the second day at the Ovel in August 1935. In reply to South Africa’s 476, England declared at 534/6 in their first innings with the help of Maurice Leyland (161) and Les Ames (148*). In the second innings, South Africa made 287/6, and the game ended in a draw.
4. England (496/4) vs Pakistan in July 1954
England once again makes the list. They had the record of scoring the fourth-most runs on the second day of a test. It came against Pakistan in Nottingham in July 1954, when they scored 496/4 on the second day. Pakistan got all out for 157 runs in the first innings, and England declared at 558/6 with Denis Compton (278) and Reg Simpson (101) scoring centuries. Then, Pakistan went all out for 272 runs in their second innings to lose by an innings and 129 runs.
3. Sri Lanka (509/9) vs Bangladesh in July 2002
Sri Lanka is the third team on the list. They scored a massive 509/9 on the second day of the test against Bangladesh at Colombo (PSS) in July 2002. Aravinda de Silva (206 off 234) and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya (145 off 164) were the two big scorers during their innings. In reply to Bangladesh’s 161, Sri Lanka declared at 541/9 in their first innings and bowled Bangladesh out for 184 runs in their second innings to win by an innings and 196 runs.
2. England (522/2) vs South Africa in June 1924
England is back again at the second spot on this list. They scored a huge score of 522/2 on the second day of the test against South Africa at Lord’s in July 1924. South Africa scored 273 runs in their first innings. In reply, England declared at 531/2 with Jack Hobbs (211), Herbert Sutcliffe (122), and Frank Woolley (134). South Africa lost by an innings and 18 runs after being all out for 240 in their second innings.
1. England (588/6) vs India in July 1936
Just like the Day 1 record, England also holds the record for scoring most runs on the second day of a test as well. It came against India in July 1936 at Manchester, when England scored a massive 588/6 (17 run were scored by India as well) on the second day. That game ended in a draw as India registered scores of 203 and 390/5 in their two innings. On the other hand, England scored 571/8 in the only innings they played with Wally Hammond (167), Joe Hardstaff (94), Stan Worthington (87), and Walter Robins (76).
List of Highest Innings Total on 2nd Day in a Test Match
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 588/6 | India | Manchester | 25 Jul 1936 |
| England | 522/9 | South Africa | Lord’s | 28 Jun 1924 |
| Sri Lanka | 509/9 | Bangladesh | Colombo (PSS) | 21 Jul 2002 |
| England | 496/4 | Pakistan | Nottingham | 1 Jul 1954 |
| England | 492/8 | South Africa | The Oval | 17 Aug 1935 |
| England | 475/8 | Bangladesh | Chester-le-Street | 3 Jun 2005 |
| India | 470/3 | Sri Lanka | Brabourne | 2 Dec 2009 |
| England | 457/6 | New Zealand | The Oval | 13 Aug 1949 |
| England | 455/1 | Australia | Leeds | 20 Jul 1934 |
| England | 455/10 | India | Lord’s | 22 Jun 1946 |