5 Lowest Team Totals That Shocked Test Cricket

Akshita Patel

5 Lowest Team Totals In Test Cricket History [Source: AP Photos]5 Lowest Team Totals In Test Cricket History [Source: AP Photos]

Test cricket is known for its long battles and big scores. But sometimes, teams collapse in unexpected ways, ending their innings in shockingly low totals. 

These rare moments often leave fans stunned and create history, just not the kind any team wants to be part of. Most recently, Australia shocked the West Indies to bowl them out for 27 runs in a pink-ball Test.

On that note, here's a look at the 5 lowest team totals ever recorded in Test cricket.

5. South Africa – 35 All Out vs England (Cape Town, 1899)

This match took place in Cape Town during England's tour of South Africa in 1899. The hosts were bundled out for a very low total, just 35 runs. England’s bowlers, Schofield Haigh and Albert Trott, made the most of the conditions to pick 6 and 4 wickets, respectively. This was one of the many times England completely dominated South Africa during that era, as they won the Cape Town Test by 210 runs.

4. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (Birmingham, 1924)

South Africa once again found themselves in deep trouble in 1924 when they were dismissed for 30 runs in the second inning of the Birmingham Test. Maurice Tate and Arthur Gilligan shared the wickets and didn’t give the batters any breathing space. 

The host team earlier scored 438 runs in the first inning and enforced a follow-on to win the game by an inning and 18 runs. It was another reminder of how South Africa struggled in their early Test history.

3. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (Gqeberha, 1896)

Back in the early days of Test cricket, South Africa faced England in Gqeberha (then known as Port Elizabeth). They were bowled out for a mere 30 runs in their second innings while in pursuit of a steep target. 

England's bowlers, especially George Lohmann, were too good for the South African batters. Lohmann took 8 wickets for 7 runs in this innings, one of the most incredible bowling figures in history. It was a tough time for South African cricket, still growing in the international game.

2. West Indies – 27 All out vs Australia (Kingston, 2025)

In perhaps the most startling collapse of recent Test cricket history, the West Indies were bowled out for only 27 runs in Kingston in 2025. Australia’s pace attack ripped through the batting line-up, making it the second-lowest total ever in Tests. The pitch was not impossible to bat on, but Mitchell Starc caused havoc with the pink ball. 

He picked up a five-wicket-haul in just 15 balls of the final inning. He eventually got 6 wickets for 9 runs in 7.3 overs to crush the Windies to 27 runs total. This collapse will be remembered as one of the darkest days in Caribbean cricket.

1. New Zealand – 26 All Out vs England (Auckland, 1955)

This is still the lowest team total in Test history. It happened way back in March 1955 at Eden Park in Auckland. England bowled out New Zealand for just 26 runs in their second innings. The pitch helped the bowlers, but the batting collapse was dramatic. 

New Zealand’s highest scorer made only 11 runs, and five batters didn’t score at all. England’s fast bowler Bob Appleyard took 4 wickets for just 7 runs. Brian Statham and Frank Tyson shared 3 and 2 wickets, respectively, to bowl out the Kiwis for 26 runs. It remains a record no team wants to break.