In Test cricket, the game can change rapidly, often leading to surprising collapses. The Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket highlights how unpredictable this format can be, with bowlers often dominating due to the movement of the red ball. Unlike ODIs or T20Is, Test cricket gives more chances for bowlers to shine, which sometimes results in shocking low scores.
The Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket underscores how quickly a team’s fortunes can change. While batsmen can shine, it’s the bowlers who often lead to these dramatic collapses, making Test cricket a thrilling yet unpredictable format.
These lowest scores remind us that in Test cricket, even the best teams can fall unexpectedly, showcasing the constant battle between bat and ball. The Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket has become part of the format’s legacy, reflecting its challenging nature.
List of Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket
| Team | Score | Overs | RR | Inns | Opponent | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 26 | 27.0 | 0.96 | 3 | England | Auckland | 25 Mar 1955 |
| South Africa | 30 | 18.4×5 | 1.91 | 4 | England | Gqeberha | 13 Feb 1896 |
| South Africa | 30 | 12.3 | 2.40 | 2 | England | Birmingham | 14 Jun 1924 |
| South Africa | 35 | 22.4×5 | 1.84 | 4 | England | Cape Town | 1 Apr 1899 |
| South Africa | 36 | 23.2 | 1.54 | 1 | Australia | Melbourne | 12 Feb 1932 |
| Australia | 36 | 23.0 | 1.56 | 2 | England | Birmingham | 29 May 1902 |
| India | 36 | 21.2 | 1.68 | 3 | Australia | Adelaide | 17 Dec 2020 |
| Ireland | 38 | 15.4 | 2.42 | 4 | England | Lord’s | 24 Jul 2019 |
| New Zealand | 42 | 39.0 | 1.07 | 1 | Australia | Wellington | 29 Mar 1946 |
| Australia | 42 | 37.3×4 | 1.66 | 2 | England | Sydney | 10 Feb 1888 |
New Zealand’s Historic 26 All-Out Against England in 1955
New Zealand holds the record for the lowest innings score in Test cricket. In a match against England in 1955 at Auckland, they were bowled out for just 26 runs in their third innings. This remains the lowest score in Test history. The Black Caps had initially batted first and put up a decent total of 200 runs, with Bert Sutcliffe contributing 49 runs and John Reid scoring 73 runs. England, however, took a 46-run lead after their first innings total of 246 runs.
In their second innings, New Zealand’s batting completely collapsed. The team was all out for 30 runs, with no player scoring more than 12 runs. England’s bowlers, including Bob Appleyard and Brian Statham, made quick work of the New Zealand batting order. As a result, England won the match by an innings and 20 runs.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Biggest Footballer Who Retired in 2024
South Africa’s Miserable 30 All-Out Against England in 1896
South Africa also features prominently on the list. In a Test against England at Gqeberha in 1896, the Proteas were dismissed for just 30 runs in their second innings, losing the game by 288 runs. Despite a solid performance by England in the first innings, where they posted 185 runs, South Africa could not keep up with the required target. England’s George Lohmann took 7 wickets in South Africa’s second innings, sending them packing for just 30 runs.
South Africa’s 30 All-Out Again in 1924 Against England
South Africa suffered another collapse in 1924, this time in Birmingham. They were all out for just 30 runs in their first innings, which contributed to their eventual loss by an innings and 18 runs. England had posted a commanding total of 438 runs, and despite a strong second innings performance by South Africa, where Bob Catrell scored 120 runs, their first innings collapse cost them the game.
South Africa’s 35 and 36 All-Out Against England and Australia in 1899 and 1932
South Africa had two more low scores in Test cricket. In 1899, they were all out for 35 runs against England in Cape Town while chasing a target of 246 runs. Similarly, in 1932, they were dismissed for 36 runs in both innings of a Test match against Australia in Melbourne, which resulted in a loss by an innings and 72 runs.
Australia’s 36 All-Out Against England in 1902
Australia also faced a disastrous batting collapse during the Ashes series in 1902, where they recorded the Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket against England. Their first innings ended with a mere 36 runs, and only Victor Trumper managed to score 18 runs. However, despite this terrible performance, Australia fought back and managed to draw the match with a much-improved second innings. England’s bowlers, Wilfred Rhodes and George Hirst, took 7 and 3 wickets, respectively, to dismiss the Australians cheaply, contributing significantly to the Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket.
India’s 36 All-Out Against Australia in 2020
One of the most recent examples of the lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket is India’s dramatic collapse in the 2020 pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide. After posting a competitive total of 244 runs in their first innings, India’s second innings saw a shocking downfall. Australia’s bowlers, particularly Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, led the charge, dismissing India for just 36 runs. This dismal performance resulted in India’s loss in the first match of the series, securing its spot in the Lowest Innings Score in Test Cricket history.
READ MORE:
