Top 10 Teams with most Test runs scored on a single day
In limited overs cricket it is said that every single ball counts. However when it comes to Test format the limitation of numbers of overs somewhat gets lifted. So keeping in view the above formula, what should one be saying? In a test match every over counts or focus should be given to the days? Nevertheless, none can deny the importance of the pace a side plays on even in a test match. With a total of five allocated days, both teams strive to make the game a fruitful one and in doing so run rate plays a major role. Teams with the highest run rates often get the better chances of controlling a game. Whereas lowest run rates usually come into play when a side gets on its back foot in order to survive the day.
Usually it is rumored that the modern time has paced up the rate at which runs are being scored. In limited overs cricket it might be true however looking back at the most test runs on a single day, numbers tell a totally different story. Majority of teams with most test runs scored in one day list hail from the early era. With only one exception of Sri Lanka’s 509 against Bangladesh in 2002, the highest numbers are from the era before 1950. More surprisingly the scores in most test runs on a single day list are rather unbelievable. Even in today’s modern games, teams only manage to score maximum of 300 runs on a single day.
Most test runs scored on a single day list is topped by the founders of cricket England. During a 1936 game between England and India, the hosts managed to score 588 runs on day 2 of the Manchester test. The astonishing number of runs on a single day are still a world record followed by again English side’s 522. The full list of most test runs on a single day of a test is as under.
Top 10 Teams with most Test runs on a single day
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Day | Runs | Wkts | Ground | Match Date |
| England | India | 2 | 588 | 6 | Manchester | 25 Jul 1936 |
| England | South Africa | 2 | 522 | 2 | Lord’s | 28 Jun 1924 |
| Sri Lanka | Bangladesh | 2 | 509 | 9 | Colombo (PSS) | 21 Jul 2002 |
| England | South Africa | 3 | 508 | 8 | The Oval | 17 Aug 1935 |
| England | Pakistan | 2 | 496 | 4 | Nottingham | 1 Jul 1954 |
| Australia | South Africa | 1 | 494 | 6 | Sydney | 9 Dec 1910 |
| England | South Africa | 2 | 492 | 8 | The Oval | 17 Aug 1935 |
| England | New Zealand | 3 | 491 | 7 | Leeds | 11 Jun 1949 |
| Australia | India | 3 | 482 | 10 | Sydney | 2 Jan 2000 |
| Australia | South Africa | 1 | 482 | 5 | Adelaide | 22 Nov 2012 |
