Test cricket is the oldest and hardest form of the game of cricket. However, the most difficult phase of the game is to bat for a long time and score runs quickly. However, there were some games in which teams scored big runs in a single day. In this article, we will cover those instances when the most runs are scored on one single day of a test match.
This list features some incredible performances by a team. Scoring 300-350 runs in an entire day is considered a big achievement. But what if when more than 450 are scored in a single day? As a result, this list will include some of the greatest batting performances in history.
5. England vs Pakistan (506/4) in Dec 2022
The second highest score in a test match on a single day is recorded in the December 2022 game between England and Pakistan at Rawalpindi. It was England that won the toss and decided to bat first, and on the very first day, they made a massive total of 506/4 in just 75 overs. Four batters scored centuries for them. Zak Crawley (122), Ben Duckett (107), Ollie Pope (108) and Harry Brook (101*) were the centurion. Thus, they also set the record for most runs on an opening day of test.
4. England vs South Africa (508/8) in Aug 1935
The fourth instance of the most runs in a day was recorded in August 1935. It was the game between England and South Africa at the Oval. The third day of the game saw a total of 508 runs scored and 8 wickets fall. Among those runs, England made 221/2 and South Africa scored 287/6. That match ended in a draw. South Africa scored 476 and 287 (62) points in two innings, while England scored 534 (62) points in their lone innings.
3. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (509/9) in Jul 2002
The highest score on any day of a test match is registered under the name Sri Lanka. It came in July 2002 against Bangladesh at the Colombo Stadium. They made 509/9 on the second day of a test, which is the highest score ever by any team on a single day. Aravinda de Silva made 206 off 234 balls, and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya scored 145 off 164 balls. Sri Lanka declared at 541/9 and bowled Bangladesh out for 161 and 184 in two innings to win the game by an innings and 196 runs.
2. England vs South Africa (522/2) in June 1924
England registered the third highest score on any day when they scored 503/2 on the second day of the Lord’s Test against South Africa in June 1924. South Africa got all out for 273 runs in their first innings, while England declared at 531/2, with Jack Hobbs (211) scoring a double century and Herbert Sutcliffe (122) and Frank Woolley (134*) scoring centuries. South Africa got dismissed for 240 in their second innings, and England won the game by an innings and 18 runs.
1. England vs India (588/6) in July 1936
The most runs in a single day were scored in a game between India and England in July 1936. It was the second game of the three-match Test series, and a total of 588 runs were recorded on the second day of the match for the loss of six wickets. England made 398/6 in that day and in reply, India were at 190/0 at the end of the second day. That game ended in a draw, with India scoring 203 and 390/5 in two innings, and England making 571/8 d in the only inning they played.
List of Highest Runs scored in One Single Day of a Test
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Day | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 588/6 | India | 2 | Manchester | 25 Jul 1936 |
| England | 522/2 | South Africa | 2 | Lord’s | 28 Jun 1924 |
| Sri Lanka | 509/9 | Bangladesh | 2 | Colombo (PSS) | 21 Jul 2002 |
| England | 508/8 | South Africa | 3 | The Oval | 17 Aug 1935 |
| Pakistan | 506/4 | England | 1 | Rawalpindi | 1 Dec 2022 |
| England | 496/4 | Pakistan | 2 | Nottingham | 1 Jul 1954 |
| Australia | 494/6 | South Africa | 1 | Sydney | 9 Dec 1910 |
| England | 492/8 | South Africa | 2 | The Oval | 17 Aug 1935 |
| England | 491/7 | New Zealand | 3 | Leeds | 11 Jun 1949 |
| Australia | 482/10 | India | 3 | Sydney | 2 Jan 2000 |