Cricket Records Set on 4 January

Usman Khawaja holds the top two individual scores recorded on 4 January, both in Tests against different opponents. His 195 off 368 balls for Australia against South Africa in 2023 stands as the highest, compiled with 19 fours and a six. Five years earlier, also on this date, Khawaja made 171 off 381 against England in 2018. The date has proved particularly productive for Australian batsmen, with Travis Head's 163 off 166 in 2026, Shaun Marsh's 156 in 2018, and Greg Chappell's 144 in 1975 all featuring in the top eight. England's Jacob Bethell contributed 154 off 265 in 2026, while India's Dilip Vengsarkar made 166 off 279 against Sri Lanka in 1987.

The standout bowling performance on 4 January belongs to Muttiah Muralitharan, whose 9/51 in 40 overs for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in 2002 dwarfs all other figures recorded on the date. The next best returns are Andre Adams' 5/22 in an ODI for New Zealand against India in 2003 and Phil Tufnell's 5/61 for England against Australia in 1991. Ravi Shastri's economical 4/11 in 11 overs against Sri Lanka in 1987 and Matt Henry's 4/19 in an ODI in 2025 represent the pick of the supporting cast. The date has seen international cricket across five decades, from 1975 through to 2026, with Test matches providing the majority of the landmark performances.