Test cricket is known for its demanding five day format, but sometimes matches finish in just a few days. The shortest test matches in cricket occur when exceptional bowling dominates, with conditions favoring pacers and spinners, making it hard for batters to survive. These rapid finishes are a rare contrast to the usual drawn-out drama of Test cricket, with bowlers taking charge and leading to early results. The shortest test matches in cricket often highlight how conditions can speed up the game dramatically.
List of Shortest Test Matches in Cricket History
| Balls Bowled | Fixture | Winner | Margin | Venue, Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 642 | South Africa vs India | India | 7 wickets | Cape Town, 2024 |
| 656 | Australia vs South Africa | Australia | Innings & 72 runs | Melbourne, 1932 |
| 672 | West Indies vs England | England | 4 wickets | Bridgetown, 1935 |
| 788 | England vs Australia | England | Innings & 21 runs | Manchester, 1888 |
| 792 | England vs Australia | Australia | 61 runs | Lord’s, 1888 |
1. 642 Balls: South Africa vs India, Cape Town (2024)
- Balls bowled: 642 (107 overs)
- Winner: India (by 7 wickets)
- Venue & Year: Cape Town, 2024
The shortest test matches in Cricket took place in Cape Town in 2024, between South Africa and India. Lasting only 642 balls (107 overs), the match saw South Africa bowled out for 55 runs, with Mohammed Siraj taking 6 wickets. India struggled too, scoring 153, with Virat Kohli top-scoring 46. South Africa’s bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, took three wickets each.
In the final innings, South Africa, needing 79 runs, was dismissed for 176, with Aiden Markram scoring 106. India chased down the target in just 12 overs, winning by 7 wickets, making it one of the shortest test matches in cricket.
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2. 656 Balls: Australia vs South Africa, Melbourne (1932)
- Balls bowled: 656 (109.3 overs)
- Winner: Australia (by innings & 72 runs)
- Venue & Year: Melbourne, 1932
In 1932, Australia and South Africa played a Test match in Melbourne that lasted just 656 balls. South Africa chose to bat first but were all out for a mere 36 runs in 23.2 overs. Bert Ironmonger took 5 wickets, supported by Laurie Nash (4 wickets). Australia had a shaky response with the bat but managed to score 153 runs, despite wickets falling regularly. Sandy Bell, Neville Quinn, and Quintin McMillan took three wickets each for South Africa.
Chasing a target of 117, South Africa struggled again and were dismissed for 45 runs in 31.3 overs. Bert Ironmonger was the star bowler, taking 6 wickets, and Bill O’Reilly supported with 3 wickets, as Australia won by an innings and 72 runs.
3. 672 Balls: West Indies vs England, Bridgetown (1936)
- Balls bowled: 672 (112 overs)
- Winner: England (by 4 wickets)
- Venue & Year: Bridgetown, 1936
In 1936, a rain-affected Test match in Bridgetown between West Indies and England became one of the shortest test matches in cricket. England opted to field first and dominated with the ball. West Indies managed only 102 runs, with George Carew top-scoring with 44*. Ken Ferns took 4 wickets, and George Paine claimed 3. Despite this, the shortest test matches in cricket history had already been set in motion.
England struggled with their batting but declared their innings at 81/7 in just 29.3 overs. West Indies then set a modest target of 73 runs after their own quick innings of 51 runs in 19 overs. The shortest test matches in cricket took an interesting turn when England chased the target in 16.3 overs, led by Patsy Hendren and Wally Hammond, who guided them to victory. Manny Martindale of West Indies took 5 wickets, but his efforts weren’t enough in one of the shortest test matches in cricket.
4. 788 Balls: England vs Australia, Manchester (1888)
- Balls bowled: 788 (131.3 overs)
- Winner: England (by innings & 21 runs)
- Venue & Year: Manchester, 1888
The shortest test matches in cricket include a 1888 encounter between England and Australia in Manchester, lasting just 788 balls. England batted first, scoring 172, with WG Grace making 38. Australia was bowled out for 81, and England’s Bobby Peel took 7 wickets.
Australia’s second innings was worse, with four batters out for ducks. Despite Lyons (32) and Turner (26), they were all out for 70, and England won by an innings and 21 runs. This match is remembered as one of the shortest and most one-sided in history.
5. 792 Balls: England vs Australia, Lord’s (1888)
- Balls bowled: 792 (132 overs)
- Winner: Australia (by 61 runs)
- Venue & Year: Lord’s, 1888
The 1888 series between England and Australia featured one of the shortest Test matches in cricket, lasting only 792 balls. Australia batted first in this fast-paced match, scoring just 116 runs. Charlie Turner played a crucial role, taking 5 wickets for England. England’s batting was even worse, as they were dismissed for a mere 53 runs, with Turner again shining as the key bowler.
In the second innings of this match, which is one of the shortest test matches in cricket, Australia added 60 runs to their total, setting England a challenging target of 124 runs. Despite a determined effort, England struggled and were bowled out for 62 runs, with Turner and JJ Ferris both claiming 5 wickets each. Australia clinched victory by 61 runs in this quick and intense Test match.
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