TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England’s 506 is the most runs ANY team has made on the first day of a Test – and it’s the first time they’ve EVER had four centurions on the same day – as records tumble in Rawalpindi
- England broke a whole host of records in a crazy opening day in Pakistan
- They scored the most runs any team has made on the first day of a Test with 506
- Zak Crawley was one of four centurions as records tumbled in Rawalpindi
England’s 506 for four from just 75 overs was the most runs they have made in a day’s Test cricket, beating their 503 for two on the second day against South Africa at Lord’s in 1924.
It was also the most runs any team have made on the first day of a Test, beating 496 by Australia against South Africa at Sydney in 1910-11.
Never before had they boasted four centurions on the same day, and only twice before have they managed four in the same innings – against West Indies at Lord’s in 2007 and Australia at Trent Bridge in 1938.
Records were smashed as England pummeled Pakistan with 506 runs on the opening day
It is the first time four of their top five have made a century in the same Test innings.
England have never made more in the first session of a Test than their 174 here – beating 169 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1938.
Zak Crawley made the fastest Test hundred by an England opener, from 86 balls – nine faster than the second of Graham Gooch’s centuries against India at Lord’s in 1990.
Zak Crawley was one of four centurions and made the fastest hundred by an England opener
Crawley has now taken part in the three fastest century stands for England’s first wicket, all in the last six months. The first two were with Alex Lees – off 19.5 overs against India at Edgbaston, then 17.2 against South Africa at The Oval. With Ben Duckett on Thursday, it took just 13.5.
Crawley’s partnership of 233 with Duckett was England’s highest for the first wicket against Pakistan, beating 198 between Bob Barber and Geoff Pullar at Dhaka in 1961-62.
It was a tough day for Pakistan as records continued to tumble throughout the day in Rawalpindi
It was also England’s highest opening stand anywhere since December 2004, when Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick began with 273 against South Africa at Durban.
Harry Brook’s 80-ball hundred was the third-fastest for England, behind Gilbert Jessop (76 balls against Australia at The Oval in 1902) and Jonny Bairstow (77 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in the summer).
Brook was also the first England player to hit six fours in a Test over.
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