Test cricket provides the best opportunity for any batter to demonstrate his true game skills. That is why this format gives big scores and big hundreds to the batters. And it is not just about one or two batters, it is also about the whole team that competes. There have been a few instances where a team scored a lot of runs in a single day of a test match.
However, in this article, we will cover the most runs scored by a team on the third day of a test. Just like the first two days’ records, England is also dominating this list. So let’s check the most number of runs scored on the third day of a test.
5. England vs Australia (471/9) in Aug 1921
England makes this list with the fifth highest total on the third day of a Test. It came against Australia when they scored 471/9 on the third day in August 1921 at the Oval. The game ended in a draw, with England declaring at 403/8 in 127 overs. In reply, Australia went all out for 389, and then England were at 244/2 when the game was called a draw.
4. England vs South Africa (473/4) in Aug 1929
The fourth most runs scored on the third day of a Test are registered between England and South Africa. It came in a test at the Oval in August 1929. A total of 473/4 scored on the third day of that game. England got all out for 258 runs in their first innings. In reply, South Africa declared at 492/8 in their first innings with Herbie Taylor (121) and skipper Nummy Deane (93). England were at 264/1 when the game was called a draw.
3. Australia vs India (482/10) in Jan 2000
The third instance of the highest runs scored on the third day of a test came in January 2000. It was the game between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and a total of 482 runs were scored with a loss of all ten wickets on the third day. India got all out for 150 runs in their first innings. Australia declared at 552/5 in their first innings, with Justin Langer (223) and Ricky Ponting (141). India got all out for just 261 runs in their second innings and lost by an innings and 141 runs.
2. England vs New Zealand (491/7) in June 1949
The second instance of most runs occurring on the third day of a test was recorded in June 1949. It was the first test of a four-match series between England and New Zealand. A total of 491 runs were scored with the loss of seven wickets on the third day. The game ended in a draw, with England registering 372 and 264/4d in their two innings, while New Zealand scored 341 and 192/2 in their two innings.
1. England vs South Africa (508/8) in Aug 1935
The instance when most runs ever scored on the third day of a test came in August 1935. It is registered under the English team. It came against South Africa at the Oval. Batting first, South Africa made 476 runs in their first innings. In reply, England posted a big total of 534/6 and declared with Maurice Leyland (161) and Les Ames (148*). A total of 508 runs were scored on third day with only 8 wickets lost. South Africa were at 287/6 when the game was called a draw.
List of Highest Runs Scored on Day 3 in Test Match
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 508/8 | South Africa | The Oval | 17 Aug 1935 |
| England | 491/7 | New Zealand | Leeds | 11 Jun 1949 |
| Australia | 482/10 | India | Sydney | 2 Jan 2000 |
| England | 473/4 | South Africa | The Oval | 17 Aug 1929 |
| England | 471/9 | Australia | The Oval | 13 Aug 1921 |
| Sri Lanka | 470/4 | Bangladesh | Kandy | 11 Jul 2007 |
| England | 469/7 | West Indies | The Oval | 19 Aug 1939 |
| England | 445/5 | South Africa | Birmingham | 15 Jun 1929 |
| South Africa | 444/4 | India | Centurion | 16 Dec 2010 |
| New Zealand | 438/6 | Bangladesh | Hamilton | 28 Feb 2019 |