Cricket, a sport known for its high-scoring affairs, occasionally witnesses moments where batting lineups crumble under pressure. New Zealand holds this unwanted record in Test cricket with just 26 runs against England.
In this article, we’ll explore the lowest scores in Test cricket history, delving into the top 20 teams with the lowest totals and taking a closer look at the top 10 most memorable collapses. These instances not only showcase the dominance of bowlers but also highlight the mental and technical challenges batsmen face in the game’s longest format.
Lowest Score In Test
Test cricket, often considered the ultimate test of a player’s skill and temperament, has seen its fair share of batting disasters. These low scores often result from a combination of excellent bowling, challenging pitch conditions, and batsmen’s struggles to cope with the pressure.
Here’s a table of the top 20 teams with the lowest Test totals:
| Team | Runs | Overs | Inns | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 26 | 27.0 | 3 | England | Auckland | 25 Mar 1955 |
| South Africa | 30 | 18.4 | 4 | England | Gqeberha | 13 Feb 1896 |
| South Africa | 30 | 12.3 | 2 | England | Birmingham | 14 Jun 1924 |
| South Africa | 35 | 22.4 | 4 | England | Cape Town | 1 Apr 1899 |
| South Africa | 36 | 23.2 | 1 | Australia | Melbourne | 12 Feb 1932 |
| Australia | 36 | 23.0 | 2 | England | Birmingham | 29 May 1902 |
| India | 36 | 21.2 | 3 | Australia | Adelaide | 17 Dec 2020 |
| Ireland | 38 | 15.4 | 4 | England | Lord’s | 24 Jul 2019 |
| New Zealand | 42 | 39.0 | 1 | Australia | Wellington | 29 Mar 1946 |
| Australia | 42 | 37.3 | 2 | England | Sydney | 10 Feb 1888 |
| India | 42 | 17.0 | 3 | England | Lord’s | 20 Jun 1974 |
| South Africa | 43 | 28.2 | 3 | England | Cape Town | 25 Mar 1889 |
| Bangladesh | 43 | 18.4 | 1 | West Indies | North Sound | 4 Jul 2018 |
| Australia | 44 | 26.0 | 4 | England | The Oval | 10 Aug 1896 |
| South Africa | 45 | 31.3 | 3 | Australia | Melbourne | 12 Feb 1932 |
| England | 45 | 35.3 | 1 | Australia | Sydney | 28 Jan 1887 |
| New Zealand | 45 | 19.2 | 1 | South Africa | Cape Town | 2 Jan 2013 |
| England | 46 | 19.1 | 4 | West Indies | Port of Spain | 25 Mar 1994 |
| India* | 46 | 31.2 | 1 | New Zealand | Bengaluru | 17 Oct 2024 |
| New Zealand | 47 | 32.3 | 2 | England | Lord’s | 19 Jun 1958 |
On 17 October 2024, India registered their 3rd lowest Test total against New Zealand. This is the most recent entry in the top 20 list. After the first day was washed out due to rain, India managed to score only 46 runs in their first innings.
Rishabh Pant scored the highest 20 runs, while five players (Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravi Jadeja, and Ravi Ashwin) were out for a duck. New Zealand’s bowlers Matt Henry and William ORourke took 5 and 4 wickets respectively.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the top 10 lowest Test scores in history:
1. New Zealand – 26 runs vs England (1955)
New Zealand’s 26 all out against England in Auckland remains the lowest Test score ever. The Kiwis faced a tough English bowling attack led by Bob Appleyard and Frank Tyson. This collapse happened in the second innings, with no batsman reaching double figures. Bert Sutcliffe top-scored with just 11 runs.
The match was part of a series where New Zealand was struggling to find its footing in Test cricket, having only been playing Tests for about 25 years at that point. This innings lasted just 27 overs, showcasing the dominance of the English bowlers on a difficult pitch.
2. South Africa – 30 runs vs England (1896)
South Africa’s first entry on this list came in Port Elizabeth. England’s George Lohmann wreaked havoc, taking 8 wickets for just 7 runs. This performance remains one of the best bowling figures in Test cricket history.
The South African team, still in its cricketing infancy, was completely outclassed. The entire innings lasted only 18.4 five-ball overs, with extras being the top scorer at 6 runs. This match highlighted the gulf in class between the established English team and the developing South African side.
3. South Africa – 30 runs vs England (1924)
Lightning struck twice for South Africa, this time in Birmingham. They were bowled out in just 12.3 overs, the shortest completed innings in Test cricket. Maurice Tate and Arthur Gilligan shared the wickets between them, with Tate taking 4 for 12 and Gilligan 6 for 7.
The highest individual score was again extras at 11. This collapse came in the first innings of the match, setting the tone for a crushing defeat. The brevity of this innings remains a record in Test cricket, showcasing how quickly things can unravel at the highest level.
4. South Africa – 35 runs vs England (1899)
South Africa features again, this time in Cape Town. Schofield Haigh was the chief destroyer, taking 6 wickets for 11 runs. This collapse came after South Africa had taken a first-innings lead, making it even more shocking. Albert Trott supported Haigh with 4 wickets for 19 runs.
The entire South African innings lasted just 22.4 overs, with only two batsmen reaching double figures. This match demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change in Test cricket, with South Africa going from a position of strength to a crushing defeat.
5. South Africa – 36 runs vs Australia (1932)
In Melbourne, South Africa faced a rampant Australian team. Bert Ironmonger, at 50 years old, took 5 wickets for 6 runs, supported by Clarrie Grimmett’s 4 wickets for 21 runs. This was part of a series where South Africa struggled immensely, losing all five Tests.
The innings lasted 23.2 overs, with only captain Jock Cameron reaching double figures with 11 runs. This match was particularly notable for Ironmonger’s performance, proving that age is just a number in cricket.
6. Australia – 36 runs vs England (1902)
The only Australian entry in the top 10 came in Birmingham. Wilfred Rhodes took 7 wickets for 17 runs, dismantling a strong Australian batting line-up that included Victor Trumper and Clem Hill. This collapse happened in the second innings after Australia had secured a first-innings lead.
The entire innings lasted just 23 overs, with extras being the top scorer at 8. This match was part of the famous 1902 Ashes series, which Australia went on to win despite this setback, showcasing the team’s resilience.
7. India – 36 runs vs Australia (2020)
The second most recent entry on this list, India’s collapse in Adelaide shocked the cricket world. Josh Hazlewood (5/8) and Pat Cummins (4/21) ran through the Indian batting order in just 21.2 overs.
This was India’s lowest-ever Test score, coming in the second innings after they had taken a first-innings lead. No Indian batsman reached double figures, with Mayank Agarwal’s 9 being the highest score. Despite this collapse, India bounced back to win the series 2-1, making it one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Test history.
8. Ireland – 38 runs vs England (2019)
Ireland’s dream of a maiden Test win turned into a nightmare at Lord’s. Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad shared all ten wickets between them, bowling Ireland out in just 15.4 overs. This collapse came in Ireland’s second innings after they had impressively bowled England out for 85 in the first innings.
James McCollum top-scored with 11, while six batsmen failed to score. Despite the disappointment, this match was a significant moment for Irish cricket, being their first Test at the historic Lord’s Ground.
9. New Zealand – 42 runs vs Australia (1946)
New Zealand’s struggles continued in Wellington. Bill O’Reilly and Ernie Toshack were the chief destroyers, taking 5 and 4 wickets respectively. This was New Zealand’s first Test match after World War II, and they were clearly rusty.
The innings lasted 39 overs, with Walter Hadlee’s 15 being the highest score. This match was part of Australia’s first tour to New Zealand, marking an important moment in trans-Tasman cricketing relations despite the one-sided nature of the contest.
10. Australia – 42 runs vs England (1888)
The oldest entry in the top 10, this collapse happened in Sydney. George Lohmann and Bobby Peel took all ten wickets, with Lohmann finishing with figures of 8/35 in the match. This was only the 27th Test match ever played, showcasing how even the strongest teams could struggle in the early days of Test cricket.
The entire innings lasted 37.3 four-ball overs, with extras again being the top scorer at 9. Despite this collapse, the match ended in a draw due to time constraints, a common occurrence in early Test cricket.
Conclusion: The Lowest Test Total Is 26 Runs By New Zealand Against England
These lowest scores in Test cricket history serve as a reminder of the game’s unpredictable nature. They highlight how even the strongest batting line-ups can crumble under the right combination of skilled bowling, challenging conditions, and mental pressure.
These historically low scores also underscore the importance of resilience in Test cricket. Many teams that suffered these collapses went on to achieve great success in later matches or series. For instance, India’s 36 all-out against Australia in 2020 was followed by a remarkable series victory, showcasing the team’s ability to bounce back from adversity.
Moreover, these instances of batting collapse often lead to introspection and improvement in cricket techniques and strategies. Teams analyze what went wrong and work on their weaknesses, ultimately contributing to the evolution of the game.
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