England Becomes First Team to Score Over 500 Runs on Day 1 of a Test Match:
On 1st December 2022, during the first Test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, England made history by becoming the first team to score over 500 runs on the opening day of a Test match. They amassed a total of 506 runs for the loss of 4 wickets by the end of Day 1, surpassing the previous record of 494 runs set by Australia against South Africa in 1910.
Key Performances:
- Zak Crawley: Scored 122 runs off 111 balls.
- Ben Duckett: Contributed 107 runs off 110 balls.
- Ollie Pope: Added 108 runs off 104 balls.
- Harry Brook: Remained unbeaten with 101 runs off 81 balls.
This remarkable feat was achieved in just 75 overs, reflecting an aggressive batting approach that has been termed "Bazball," under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. The team's run rate of 6.74 runs per over was unprecedented in Test cricket history.
Conclusion:
The correct answer is England, who set a new benchmark in Test cricket by scoring over 500 runs on the first day of a match, showcasing a transformative approach to the traditional format of the game.