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15 Lowest Score in Test Cricket History

In the history of Test cricket, some records are less celebrated than others. One such unwanted record is the lowest team total, held by New Zealand, who were bowled out for just 26 runs against England in 1955. 

This list features teams that have faced spectacular collapses, including cricketing giants like India, who were dismissed for 36 runs by Australia in 2020.

South Africa find themselves on the list four times, followed by New Zealand and Australia with two entries each, and India and Ireland with one entry each.

In this article, we explore the top ten lowest score in Test cricket.

Top 15 Lowest Team Totals in Test Cricket

TeamScoreOversInnsOppositionGroundMatch Date
New Zealand2627.03v EnglandAuckland25 Mar 1955
South Africa3018.44v EnglandGqeberha13 Feb 1896
South Africa3012.32v EnglandBirmingham14 Jun 1924
South Africa3522.44v EnglandCape Town1 Apr 1899
South Africa3623.21v AustraliaMelbourne12 Feb 1932
Australia3623.02v EnglandBirmingham29 May 1902
India3621.23v AustraliaAdelaide17 Dec 2020
Ireland3815.44v EnglandLord’s24 Jul 2019
New Zealand4239.01v AustraliaWellington29 Mar 1946
Australia4237.32v EnglandSydney10 Feb 1888
India42172v EnglandLondon1974
Sri Lanka4213.51v SADurban2024
South Africa4328.22v EnglandCape Town1889
Bangladesh4318.41v West IndiesNorth Sound2018
Australia44262v AustraliaEngland1896

1. New Zealand – 26 vs. England (1955)

On March 25, 1955, at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand set the record for the lowest total in Test cricket with a dismal 26 runs against England. The third innings of the match saw the Kiwis collapse in just 27 overs with a run rate of 0.96.

England’s fast bowlers, led by Bob Appleyard and Frank Tyson, exploited the conditions perfectly, dismantling the New Zealand batting lineup with unerring precision. Appleyard took 4 wickets for just 7 runs, while Tyson claimed 2 for 10, ensuring a quick end to the innings.

This match remains a stark reminder of the unpredictability of Test cricket. Eventually, England won by an innings and 20 runs. 

Read More: 10 Highest Partnership in Test Cricket History

2. South Africa – 30 vs. England (1896)

South Africa’s first brush with ignominy in the lowest scores list came on February 13, 1896, against England at St George’s Park, Gqeberha. Batting fourth in the match, South Africa was bowled out for 30 in 18.4 overs, with an economy rate of 1.91.

George Lohmann was the chief architect of the collapse, taking 8 wickets for just 7 runs in a devastating spell of fast bowling. Lohmann’s extraordinary figures remain among the best in Test cricket history. England went on to win the match by 288 runs. 

3. South Africa – 30 vs. England (1924)

Nearly three decades later, on June 14, 1924, South Africa again succumbed to England, this time at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In the second innings, the South African team was dismissed for 30 runs in 12.3 overs at a run rate of 2.40.

Arthur Gilligan wreaked havoc with his pace bowling, capturing 6 wickets for 7 runs. Helping him was Maurice Tate, who finished with 4 wickets for 12 runs. They won the match by an innings and 18 runs. 

4. South Africa – 35 vs. England (1899)

South Africa’s early years in Test cricket were fraught with struggles, evidenced by another low total of 35 against England on April 1, 1899, at Newlands, Cape Town. The fourth innings saw South Africa bowled out in 22.4 overs.

The English bowling attack, spearheaded by Schofield Haigh (6 wickets) and Albert Trott (4 wickets), proved too potent for the South African batsmen, who had no answers to the relentless pressure. England won the match by 210 runs. 

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5. South Africa – 36 vs. Australia (1932)

On February 12, 1932, South Africa recorded another infamous low score, this time against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the first innings, South Africa was dismissed for 36 runs in 23.2 overs with a run rate of 1.54.

Bert Ironmonger, the left-arm orthodox spinner, spun a web around the South African batsmen, taking 5 wickets for 6 runs.

His exceptional bowling was complemented by the bowling of Laurie Nash, who picked up 4 wickets for 18 runs. Australia won the match by an innings and 72 runs.

6. Australia – 36 vs. England (1902)

Australia’s inclusion in this list came on May 29, 1902, when they faced England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Batting second, the Australians were bundled out for 36 in 23 overs.

Wilfred Rhodes and George Hirst were the destroyers-in-chief, with Rhodes taking 7 wickets for 17 runs and Hirst picking up three wickets.

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7. India – 36 vs. Australia (2020)

In one of the most recent instances, India was skittled for 36 runs against Australia on December 19, 2020, at the Adelaide Oval. In the third innings, India could only manage 36 runs in 21.2 overs.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins delivered lethal spells of fast bowling, with Hazlewood taking 5 wickets for 8 runs and Cummins claiming 4 for 21. This match was played with the pink ball saw India’s batting line-up crumble under the lights. 

8. Ireland – 38 vs. England (2019)

Ireland, a relative newcomer to Test cricket, experienced one of the lowest totals when they faced England at Lord’s on July 24, 2019. Batting fourth, Ireland was bowled out for 38 runs in 15.4 overs.

Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad spearheaded the English attack, with Woakes taking 6 wickets for 17 runs and Broad picking up the rest of the 4 wickets. England went on to win the match by 143 runs. 

9. New Zealand – 42 vs. Australia (1946)

New Zealand registered one of their lowest totals on March 29, 1946, when they were bowled out for 42 runs against Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Batting first, New Zealand managed just 42 runs in 39 overs.

Australia’s Bill O’Reilly took 5 wickets for 14 runs, and he was helped by Ernie Toshack, who picked up 4 wickets for 12 runs. Australia won the match by an innings and 103 runs.

Further Read: Which Country is The Best in Cricket?

10. Australia – 42 vs. England (1888)

The oldest entry on this list dates back to February 10, 1888, when Australia faced England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In the second innings, Australia was dismissed for 42 runs in 37.3 overs.

George Lohmann and Bobby Peel picked up five wickets each to cause the collapse. 

11. India – 42 vs. England (1974)

In 1974, India faced a batting collapse at Lord’s when they were knocked over for just 42 runs in just over an hour.

A series that had plenty of promise unraveled very quickly on the fourth day when England’s seam duo, Chris Old and Geoff Arnold, tore through the Indian batting lineup in front of a sparse crowd under cloudy skies.

12. Sri Lanka – 42 vs. South Africa (2024)

Sri Lanka endured their lowest-ever Test total, collapsing to just 42 runs against South Africa in the first Test at Durban.

The innings, wrapped up in a mere 83 deliveries, became the shortest completed Test innings in a century, marking a historic low for the Sri Lankan side.

13. South Africa – 43 vs England (1889)

England batted first and posted 292 runs in their first innings. This looked a par score, but South Africa, in their response, was knocked over for just 43 runs.

England did not let go this momentum as they won the match by an by an innings and 202 runs.

14. Bangladesh – 43 vs West Indies (2018)

West Indies bowlers, led by Kemar Roach, wreaked havoc on Bangladesh in their first innings as they dismantled the visitors for just 43 runs in the first innings.

West Indies then responded with 406 and the bridge was always going to be tough for Bangladesh to climb and they lost the match by an innings and 219 runs.

15. Australia – 44 vs England (1896)

In a match that was marred by incidents of racism, Australia were knocked over for just 44 runs in their second innings to hand England a narrow win by 66 runs.

Bowlers had a field day on a pitch where neither side could cross 150 runs. This is the yet another instance of Australia being humbled by England in a Test lowest score team.

Conclusion

The lowest totals in Test cricket serve as stark reminders of the game’s unpredictability. These matches, marked by extraordinary bowling and dramatic collapses, are a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of Test cricket.

FAQ’s about Lowest Team Totals in Test

Q) What is the lowest total ever recorded in Test cricket?

A) New Zealand holds the record for the lowest Test score, being bowled out for 26 runs against England in 1955 at Eden Park, Auckland.

Q) Which bowler has the best figures in a low-scoring Test innings?

A) George Lohmann took 8 wickets for 7 runs against South Africa in 1896, leading to their total of 30 runs.

Q) When did India record its lowest Test score?

A) India’s lowest Test score is 36, achieved against Australia in December 2020 at the Adelaide Oval.

Q) How many times has South Africa been dismissed for under 40 runs in Test cricket?

A) South Africa has been dismissed for under 40 runs on four occasions: 30 (twice), 35, and 36.

Q) Which team bowled out Australia for their lowest Test score?

A) England bowled out Australia for 36 runs in 1902 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

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