Three Lowest Test Totals Recorded In Last 10 Years [Source: @cricketcomau/X.com]
Cricket is often referred to as the game of glorious uncertainties, where fortunes can change in a matter of overs. While players strive for excellence, there are rare instances where even the strongest teams falter dramatically.
Test cricket, the sport's longest and most demanding format, has witnessed its fair share of collapses, reminding fans and players of the unforgiving nature of the game. Especially on grassy wicket and overcast conditions, quality fast bowlers' spells could be threatening and extremely impactful.
That being said, over the past decade, there have been three particularly shocking batting performances that stunned the cricketing world. Let's revisit those moments one by one.
3. Sri Lanka - 42/10 vs South Africa, 2024
3. Sri Lanka - 42/10 vs South Africa, 2024 [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com]
During the most recent Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa held at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee's sensational spells left the visitor's batting line-up in shambles. Kagiso Rabada drew first blood in the second over to dismiss Karunaratne before Jansen struck with a record five-wicket-haul in just the first 6 overs spell.
His dismissal included Dinesh Candimal, Angelo Matthews, and visiting captain Dhananjaya de Silva. Gerald Coetzee also contributed with 2 additional wickets and Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 42/10, their lowest total in Test cricket history. This collapse remains Sri Lanka's lowest moment in red ball format in the last decade, a blemish in their otherwise proud cricketing history.
2. Ireland - 38/10 vs England, 2019
2. Ireland - 38/10 vs England, 2019 [Source: @Munawar0122/X.com]
Ireland's 38 all-out against England in their maiden Test at iconic Lord's Cricket Ground was a harsh reality check for the team. After upsetting the Englishmen on 85/10 in the first innings, Ireland posted 207, with a 122-run lead in the second innings. However, England bounced back with 303 total in the third innings to set up a 425 runs target.
And the pressure got the better of Ireland. Chris Woakes drew first blood to dismiss skipper William Porterfield and followed it up with a remarkable spell to complete a five-wicket-haul. Stuart Broad supported him on the other end with 4/19 in just 8 overs. Woakes also finished with 6/17 in 7.4 overs to bowl out the visitors on 38/10. The team lasted just 15.4 overs, recording the seventh-lowest Test total of all time.
1. India - 36/10 vs Australia
1. India - 36/10 vs Australia [Source: @Wasi__Akram/X.com]
India's 36 all-out against Australia in the first Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a stunning collapse that left fans in disbelief. After taking a healthy 53-run first-innings lead, India started their second innings with optimism under the floodlights of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. However, Australia's relentless pace attack exploited the conditions masterfully. Skipper Pat Cummins led the charge to draw first blood in the form of Prithvi Shaw.
India's wall, Cheteshwar Pujara, and modern-day great Virat Kohli got a duck each, and not a single batter could manage to score in double digits. Josh Hazlewood bagged a five-wicket-haul to finish with 5/8 in just 5 overs, whereas Cummins picked 4/21 in 10.2 overs. India's innings crumbled to 36/10 in just 21.2 overs, marking their lowest Test total ever. The collapse set the stage for Australia's comfortable eight-wicket victory.