Top 5 instances when most wickets fell on Day 1 of a Test match

Five instances when Day 1 of a Test match saw most wickets fall.

In test cricket, the first day plays a crucial role where both bowlers and batsmen aim to make an early impact for their respective teams. The quest for taking the most wickets on day 1 involves not just individual skills but also a combined effort from both the teams that are striving for dominance in the test match.

Bowlers showcase their talents by exploiting favourable conditions and dismantling the opponent’s batting line-up. Batsmen, on the other hand, face the challenge of dealing with challenging deliveries and building partnerships to counter the opposition’s bowling attack. The narratives that take place on the first day decides the course of the contest, showcasing not only individual brilliance but also the collective efforts of both teams as they compete for victory.

Now let’s delve into the list of top 5 instances when most wickets fell on Day 1 of a Test cricket match:

5. South Africa vs England, Gqeberha, 1896 – 21 wickets

In the first test at Gqeberha from February 13 – 14, 1896, during England’s tour of South Africa, a remarkable 21 wickets fell on the opening day of the test match. The day’s play commenced with England being dismissed for a total of 185 runs in their first innings. In response, South Africa faced a early collapse, getting all out for just 93 runs. The relentless pace of wickets persisted in the second innings, where England, in their second innings, lost 1 wicket without scoring any run.

4. Australia vs West Indies, Adelaide, 1951 – 22 wickets

In the third test at Adelaide from December 22 to 25, 1951, during West Indies tour of Australia, a remarkable 22 wickets fell on the opening day of the test match. The test match began with Australia being dismissed for a mere 82 runs in their first innings. In response, West Indies faced a challenging situation, getting all out for 105 runs. The relentless pace of wickets continued in the second innings, where Australia, in their pursuit of setting a target, lost 2 wickets for just 20 runs.

3. England vs Australia, The Oval, 1890 – 22 wickets

During Australia’s tour of England in the second test at The Oval from August 11 – 12, 1890, an astonishing 22 wickets fall on the first day of the test match. The day commenced with Australia being bowled out for a mere 92 runs in their first innings. In response, England faced a collapse, being dismissed for just 100 runs. The intense pace of wickets persisted into the second innings, where Australia lost 2 wickets for just 5 runs.

2. SA vs IND, Cape Town, 2024 – 23 wickets

In the second test at Cape Town from January 03 to 07, 2024, during India’s tour of South Africa, a staggering 23 wickets fell on the opening day of the test match. The day started with South Africa being all-out for a mere 55 runs in their first innings. However, India, in response, faced a challenging situation, getting all out for 153 runs. The relentless pace of wickets continued in the second innings as well, as South Africa struggled, losing three wickets for just 62 runs. The action-packed first day highlighted the challenging conditions and the dominance of the bowlers, creating a narrative for the remainder of the test match.

1. Australia vs England, Melbourne, 1902 – 25 wickets

In the 2nd test at Melbourne between January 01 – 04, 1902, when England were touring Australia, the opening day witnessed an extraordinary display of bowling skills as a total of 25 wickets tumbled. Australia were dismissed for 112 runs in their first innings, and England, in reply, faced a swift collapse, getting all out for a mere 61 runs. The frenetic pace continued in the second innings as Australia lost 5 wickets for just 48 runs.

(All stats updated till 4th January, 2023)

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.