Top 5: Lowest Team Totals in Test Cricket

Test cricket, known for its endurance and strategy, has witnessed some extraordinary highs and lows.

Among the most remarkable and often humbling moments are the instances when entire teams have been bundled out for astonishingly low scores.

These innings serve as stark reminders of the sport’s unpredictability and the challenges posed by top-quality bowling on difficult pitches.

Here, we delve into the top five lowest team totals in Test cricket history, each a story of dominant bowling and batting collapse.

5. 36 Runs by South Africa vs Australia, 1932

South Africa registered one of their lowest scores with their 36-run total against Australia on 12 February 1932 in Melbourne. Australia’s pace attack, led by Bert Ironmonger, who took 5 wickets for 6 runs, proved too much for the South African batsmen.

The hostile bowling and difficult pitch conditions contributed to one of the lowest scores in Test history. This match highlighted the prowess of Australia’s bowlers and the challenges touring teams often faced.

4. 35 Runs by South Africa vs England, 1899

Another entry for South Africa, who were dismissed for 35 runs against England on 1 April 1899 in Cape Town. This match was dominated by England’s bowlers, with left-arm spinner Johnny Briggs taking 5 wickets for 17 runs.

The South African batsmen struggled to handle the spin and guile of Briggs, resulting in another ignominious collapse. This score stood as a reminder of the difficulties batsmen faced against skilled bowlers in the early days of Test cricket.

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3. 30 Runs by South Africa vs England, 1924

South Africa appeared again with a score of 30 runs, this time against England on 14 June 1924 in Birmingham. On a damp pitch, England’s bowlers took full advantage, with Maurice Tate leading the charge by taking 4 wickets for 7 runs.

South Africa’s innings lasted just 12.3 overs, showcasing the severe impact of conducive bowling conditions and the inability of the batsmen to cope with swing and seam movement.

2. 30 Runs by South Africa vs England, 1896

South Africa’s challenging history with low scores continues as they were dismissed for 30 runs against England on 13 February 1896 in Gqebera (formerly Port Elizabeth). In this early era of Test cricket, pitches were often unpredictable, and this match was no exception.

George Lohmann, one of England’s finest bowlers, took an incredible 7 wickets for 8 runs, decimating the South African batting order. This match highlighted the difficulties teams faced in adapting to the challenging conditions of the time.

1. 26 Runs by New Zealand vs England, 1955

The lowest team total in Test cricket belongs to New Zealand, who were bowled out for a mere 26 runs against England in Auckland on 25 March 1955. This match is etched in cricketing history for the sheer dominance exhibited by the English bowlers.

New Zealand’s innings lasted just 27 overs, with no batsman reaching double figures. Fast bowler Bob Appleyard and left-arm spinner Johnny Wardle were the chief destroyers, taking 4 and 3 wickets, respectively.

This dismal performance underscored the vulnerability of batting line-ups against quality bowling.