Most Wickets in Single Day in Test Cricket History

In the majestic splendor of Test cricket, every day tells a different story. Some days are about heroic centuries; then there are rare and unforgettable days when the ball reigns supreme. The fall of wickets one after another stuns the cricket world. It reminds every ardent fan, deep down in their soul. And Test cricket is as much about patience and resilience as anything else: dominance, talent, and style.

This article lists some of the most dramatic days in Test cricket history, when bowlers literally devastated batting orders.

Top 20 Instances: Most Wickets in a Single Day of Test Cricket

Top 10 Test Matches where the most wickets fell on one day

England vs Australia, Lord’s: 16 July 1888 (27 wickets)

It was one of the most turbulent days in Test cricket history. On the second day, 27 wickets fell for just 157 runs. Australian bowlers Charlie Turner and J.J. Ferris displayed lethal swing bowling, and England were bowled out for 53 and 62 runs respectively in their innings. Australia, meanwhile, were bundled out for 60 runs! The match ended with Australia winning by 61 runs, a feat still remembered as one of Test cricket’s most astonishing spectacles.

Australia vs England, Melbourne: 1 January 1902 (25 wickets)

The first day of the 1902 Melbourne Test was a complete disaster. Both teams failed to cope with the pace and movement of the opposition bowlers. Australia could only manage 112 runs in their first innings, and in response, England were all out for just 61 runs. By stumps on the first day, 25 wickets had fallen, setting up a thrilling low-scoring contest.

England vs Australia, The Oval: 10 August 1896 (24 wickets)

The 1896 Oval Test once again demonstrated the dangerous potential of 19th-century pitches, with 24 wickets falling in a single day. England eventually won by 66 runs, having been bowled out for 44 in the second innings. All ten wickets were taken by English bowlers R. Peel and J.T. Hearne, whose names have gone down in cricketing folklore.

India vs Afghanistan, Bengaluru: 14 June 2018 (24 wickets)

Afghanistan’s first Test match was a closely fought one. A total of 24 wickets fell on the second day as the Indian bowlers dismantled Afghanistan’s inexperienced batting line-up. In reply to India’s 474 in the first innings, Afghanistan were dismissed twice in the same day, for 109 and 103. Losing the match by an innings and 262 runs in two days was one of the shortest Test matches to end in modern times.

South Africa vs Australia, Cape Town: 9 November 2011 (23 wickets)

It was one of the most exciting modern Test matches ever played. After taking a massive 188-run lead, Australia collapsed in their second innings for just 47 runs in 18 overs! Led by Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, South Africa made a remarkable comeback on the second day, achieving the target of 236 runs for the loss of 23 wickets.

England vs Australia, The Oval: 11 August 1890 (22 wickets)

The Oval pitch in 1890 was almost unplayable. Run-scoring was difficult for both teams, with 22 wickets falling for a total of 197 runs on the first day. Early Test pitches were quite peculiar, often filled with bowler-friendly conditions.

Australia vs West Indies, Adelaide: 22 December 1951 (22 wickets)

This Test was another bowling festival. Batting was virtually impossible for both teams on the first day, as they lost 22 wickets for 207 runs. The fast pace and uneven bounce of the Adelaide pitch made the match exciting, but it also resulted in a plethora of dismissals.

England vs India, Manchester: 17 July 1952 (22 wickets)

On the third day of this Test, 22 wickets fell for just 195 runs. England’s bowlers took full advantage of the damp weather and dismantled the Indian batting order twice in a single day. This remains one of India’s most difficult overseas batting collapses in the early years of their Test career.

Sri Lanka vs England, Colombo: 15 March 2001 (22 wickets)

On the third day in Colombo, both teams were fighting for survival on a rapidly deteriorating subcontinental pitch. The spinners extracted sharp turn and bounce, and 22 wickets fell for 229 runs. It was a dramatic day that showcased the beauty of Test cricket in Asia – contested, unpredictable, and always entertaining.

Read More: Test Largest Margin Wins by Innings Record (2025 List)

Conclusion

The beauty of bowling days is that they show that Test cricket isn’t just a game of centuries and records, but also of adaptation. And when 20 or more wickets fall in a day, it’s not a drawback, but a reminder of why the game is so diverse. The game can shift from bat-centric to bowler-centric in an instant. From Lord’s in 1888 to Cape Town in 2024, the essence remains the same: cricket’s unpredictability. These bowling-centric days continue to make this oldest format the most exciting.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the record for most wickets in a single day of Test cricket?

The record remains 27 wickets in one day, set during the Test between England and Australia at Lord’s in 1888. On day two, Australian bowlers Charlie Turner and J.J. Ferris sent England in to bat twice, making it the most wicket-taking day in cricket history.

Q2. Has any modern Test match come near this record?

Yes. There was a day when 23 wickets fell during the Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town in 2011. Recently, the South Africa-India Test in 2024 matched that tally to show such chaos can still happen even in the modern era.

Q3. On how many occasions have more than 20 wickets fallen during a day’s play in Test cricket?

There have been 20 recorded instances where 20 or more wickets have fallen in a single day of Test cricket, dating from 1882 to 2024.

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