On July 17, 1888, during the first Test of Australia's tour to England, 27 wickets fell. Since then, 35 times in Test cricket, 20 or more wickets have fallen in a single day. The Cape Town Test in 2024 between hosts South Africa and India was the 13th time the feat occurred on the opening day of a Test match.
The 2018 Bengaluru Test between India and Afghanistan retains the modern-day record for the most wickets in a day in Test cricket. On Day 2 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, 24 wickets were lost. Learn about the Test cricket matches with the most wickets in a day in test cricket.
India were bowled out for 153 in their first innings on the first day of the second Test against South Africa on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Newlands Stadium in Capetown, when Prasidh Krishna edged one to slip and was caught neatly.
This was the 35th time in Test cricket history that 20 or more wickets fell in a single day, and the 13th time it happened on Day 1 of a Test match. The first session saw 10 wickets fall, the second four, and the third nine. India lost their final six wickets without scoring a single run, a world record. according to commentators during the game. The Indian dressing room was so bewildered that the Indian coaches began taking notes after each wicket fell, and the wickets simply kept dropping.
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Most wickets in a day in test cricket
|
Team 1
|
Team 2
|
Day
|
Runs
|
wickets
|
Ground
|
Match Date
|
|
England
|
Australia
|
2
|
157
|
27
|
Lord's
|
16 Jul 1888
|
|
Australia
|
England
|
1
|
221
|
25
|
Melbourne
|
1 Jan 1902
|
|
England
|
Australia
|
2
|
255
|
24
|
The Oval
|
10 Aug 1896
|
|
India
|
Afghanistan
|
2
|
339
|
24
|
Bengaluru
|
14 Jun 2018
|
|
South Africa
|
Australia
|
2
|
294
|
23
|
Cape Town
|
9 Nov 2011
|
|
England
|
India
|
3
|
195
|
22
|
Manchester
|
17 Jul 1952
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
England
|
3
|
229
|
22
|
Colombo
|
15 Mar 2001
|
|
New Zealand
|
India
|
3
|
279
|
22
|
Hamilton
|
19 Dec 2002
|
|
New Zealand
|
Zimbabwe
|
3
|
297
|
22
|
Napier
|
26 Jan 2012
|
|
South Africa
|
England
|
1
|
278
|
21
|
Gqeberha
|
13 Feb 1896
|
|
England
|
West Indies
|
2
|
188
|
21
|
Lord's
|
29 Jun 2000
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
Australia
|
2
|
314
|
21
|
Galle
|
4 Aug 2016
|
|
India
|
South Africa
|
1
|
208
|
20
|
Cape Town
|
3 Jan 2024
|
|
England
|
Australia
|
2
|
199
|
20
|
The Oval
|
28 Aug 1882
|
|
England
|
Australia
|
1
|
164
|
20
|
The Oval
|
28 Aug 1882
|
|
South Africa
|
England
|
1
|
232
|
20
|
Gqeberha
|
12 Mar 1889
|
|
Australia
|
England
|
1
|
198
|
20
|
Melbourne
|
29 Dec 1894
|
|
England
|
South Africa
|
1
|
211
|
20
|
Leeds
|
29 Jul 1907
|
|
England
|
South Africa
|
3
|
326
|
20
|
The Oval
|
19 Aug 1907
|
|
England
|
Australia
|
2
|
240
|
20
|
Birmingham
|
27 May 1909
|
|
England
|
Australia
|
1
|
266
|
20
|
Manchester
|
26 Jul 1909
|
England vs. Australia, Lord's Test, 1888, 27 wickets
On the second day of an 1888 Lord's Test between England and Australia, as many as 27 wickets fell. After resuming at 18/3 on Day 2, Allan Steel's England were bowled out for 53 runs in 50 overs. In their second inning, the hosts bowled Australia out for 60 in 29.2 overs. England were skittled out for 62 in 47 overs when chasing 124 in the fourth inning, as the visitors won the Lord's Test by 61 runs. Australia had earlier scored 116 in their first inning, led by Percy McDonnell. Despite losing the first Test, England went on to win the following two games to win the three-match series 2-1.
Australia vs. England, Melbourne Test, 1902 | 25 wickets
Second on the list is another Ashes Test between Australia and England. During England's tour to Australia in January 1902, 25 wickets fell on the first day of the second Test at Melbourne. England, having chosen to field first, dismissed Australia for 112 in 32.1 overs in their first innings. Later, Australia's Joe Darling-led team came back to dismiss the visitors for 61 runs in 15.4 overs. At stumps on Day 1, Archie MacLaren-led England had quickly reduced Australia to 48/5. The hosts scored 353 runs in the second inning, led by Reggie Duff's 104 and Clem Hill's 99. The visitors were bowled out for 175 in their second inning while chasing 405, as Australia won the Test by a whopping 229 runs.
1896, England vs. Australia, 24 wickets in the Oval Test
The 1896 Oval Test between England and Australia had the third-most wickets in a day in Test cricket history. During Australia's tour of England, 24 wickets were taken on the second day of the third Test. England were knocked out for 145 in their first innings after starting Day 2 at 69/1. Later, England, spearheaded by W.G. Grace, bowled Australia out for 119 in 53.1 overs to take a 26-run advantage. England finished the second day with a score of 60/5. In their second inning, however, they only managed 84 points. Australia were skittled out for 44 in their second inning while chasing 111, as England won the Test by 66 runs.
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