On this day in 1936: England and India score a record 588 runs in a day

On this day in 1936, England and India recorded the combined most runs in a single day at Old Trafford in Manchester. The iconic match was the second Test during India’s tour of England under the leadership of Maharajah of Vizianagram.

India got off to a disastrous start as they were outfoxed for a paltry score of 203 runs. Syed Wazir Ali top-scored for the side with 42 runs while Cotar Ramaswami added 40 runs in his account before heading back to the dugout. The rest of the batting unit tumbled for dismal scores as England’s Hedley Verity claimed a four-wicket haul whereas Walter Robins and Gubby Allen got two wickets each.

Later England concluded Day 1 with a score of 173 runs for the loss of two wickets, courtesy of a century by Wally Hammond (118* runs). Hammond further played a solid knock the following day as he scored 167 runs and was aided by Stan Worthington’s 87.

England concluded with a humongous total of 571 runs before declaring as Joe Hardstaff, Walter Robins, and Verity played invaluable knocks of 94, 76, and 66. respectively. Therefore, England had already scored 388 runs on Day 2.

As Team India took the field to bat, the opening pair of Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali combined to raise a stellar partnership. Merchant remained unbeaten on 79, while Mushtaq cruised towards the century mark, scoring an unconquered 105. With this, India got 190 runs at the close of the day’s play.

In doing so, India and England scored a combined 588 runs on Day 2, the most runs scored in a single day of Test. Eventually, the match concluded in a stalemate as India managed to score 390 runs on Day 3, remaining on level terms.