Most wickets falling on the opening day of a Test (All-time)

Test cricket is the ultimate and the purest format of the game. Representing the country by playing in the whites is every player’s dream. The team relies heavily on the bowlers to pick 20 wickets in the match to secure a victory. The first day of a Test match is always important and when wickets fall like a pack of cards on that day, it shapes the game for an exciting finish.

Let’s take a look at the most wickets falling on the opening day of a Test match in the history of the format:

South Africa vs England (21)

South Africa hosted England in the first Test of the three-match series in Gqeberha in 1896 and as many as 21 wickets tumbled on the first day. England batted first and got all out for 185 as Bonnor Middleton took five wickets for South Africa and Joseph Willoughby two. The Proteas got dismissed for just 93 after George Lohmann wreaked havoc with seven wickets. The day ended with England 0/1 as the visitors thrashed South Africa by 288 runs on day two.

England vs Australia and Australia vs West Indies (22)

22 wickets fell in the first Test between England and Australia at The Oval in 1890. Australia batted first and got bundled out for just 92 as Fred Martin took six wickets and Goerge Lohmann three. England got dismissed for 100 runs, with JJ Ferris accounting for four, Percie Charlton three and Charlie Turner two wickets. The day’s play ended with Australia 5/2 as England won by two wickets on Day two itself.

The same number of wickets also fell on the first day of Australia vs West Indies match in Adelaide in 1951. Hosts batted first and got all out for just 82. Frank Worrell and John Goddard took six and three wickets respectively. The visitors got all out for 105 will Bill Johnston picking up six wickets. Australia ended the day at 20/2 and it was West Indies who won the match by six wickets.

Australia vs England (25)

In the second Test between Australia and England in Melbourne in 1902, 25 wickets tumbled on Day 1 as the hosts got all out for 112 after batting first, with Sydney Barnes and Colin Blythe grabbing six and four wickets respectively. In reply, England was humbled for 61 all out with Monty Noble picking up seven wickets and Hugh Trumble three. Australia ended the day at 48/5 as the team from down under defeated rivals England by a massive margin of 229 runs.