Top Five Lowest Team Totals In ODI World Cup History
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis during his side's batting failure in 2023 WC vs India (AP)
In modern-day cricket, the ODI World Cup stands as a bastion of dreams, for which the competing nations send forth their finest bunch to conquer the coveted trophy. On a stage where legends are forged and record books are often rewritten, there lies a hidden unwanted dimension, a storehouse of humbling moments etched in the collective memory of the sport.
The pursuit of cricketing glory at the grandest stage has, on occasion, led teams down the path of unthinkable failures, especially with the bat in hand. Every once in a while, batting line-ups tend to falter with astonishing fragility, earning a place among the lowest-scoring performances in the history of the competition.
Here at OneCricket, we explore the tales of five lowest team totals ever recorded in ODI World Cup history, revealing moments of fragility amidst the grandeur.
1. Canada 36 all out vs SL, 2003 World Cup
Sri Lanka players celebrating a Canada wicket at the 2003 World Cup (x.com)
In a mismatch of grand proportions, a rampaging Sri Lankan unit folded up 2003 World Cup associates Canada for just 36 inside 19 overs. Usual suspect Chaminda Vaas signaled Canada’s downfall with a quick three-wicket burst in his opening spell, and the new-ball legend received much assistance from fellow pacers Prabath Nissanka and Dilhara Fernando.
Canada’s batting order, as one can expect, read a sorry figure, with none of their batters managing to outscore mere nine-run efforts from opener Desmond Chumney and captain Joe Harris. The duo’s collective tally of 18, and additional baggage of five extras turned out to be significant contributors from their dismal batting performance.
Sri Lanka, justifying their reputation, overhauled the lowest total of World Cup history without breaking a sweat, chewing up less than five overs to bag their crucial Group B points in Paarl’s Boland Park.
2. Canada 45 all out vs England, 1979 World Cup
England players celebrating a Canada wicket in 1979 World Cup (x.com)
Long before the Canadians were dusted out for a mere 36 in 2003, they were folded up for 45 during their 1979 World Cup game against hosts England. Then English speedsters Bob Willis and Chris Old tore through Canada’s line-up with identical four-fers, with Mike Hendrick and Ian Botham also joining in the party with a wicket each.
Notably, the team managed to bat over 40 overs in the game despite their meagre batting effort, which featured nearly 50 percent of the contribution from number three Franklyn Dennis (21 runs) alone. The next biggest benefactors of the innings belonged to opener Christopher Chappell for his excruciating five as well as five extras sent down by the Englishmen. For 24 years, the innings remained the world record for the lowest World Cup score until Canada worsened their own effort against Sri Lanka in Boland.
3. Namibia 45 all out vs Australia, 2003 World Cup
Glenn McGrath against Namibia during the 2003 World Cup (x.com)
Nearly a week after the Canadians were folded up for 36 in Paarl, fellow associates Namibia were dismantled for 45 in Potchefstroom. Their abject batting surrender, however, was justifiable considering they were up against a marauding Australian bunch, led by the ever-charismatic Ricky Ponting.
Wielding a pace attack of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Andy Bichel; the trio itself accounted for all 10 Namibian wickets on offer in exactly 14 combined overs. The match also witnessed ODI legend McGrath registering his career-best figures (7-15), as Australia romped home to victory by 256 runs.
Surprisingly, Namibia’s batting effort featured 15 runs as extras, including six wides and five no-balls to emerge as the highest contributor of the innings, one which featured 10 separate runs from the blade of captain Deon Kotze.
4. Sri Lanka 55 all out vs India, 2023 World Cup
Mohammed Shami celebrates a SL wicket at the 2023 World Cup (AP)
The fourth lowest recorded World Cup total also happens to be the lowest-ever one listed by a Test-playing nation. An injury-ravaged Sri Lankan side, chasing 358 against 2023 World Cup hosts India at a packed Wankhede Stadium, faltered from the outset, losing in-form opener Pathum Nissanka off the very first ball of the innings.
Indian pacers Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah packed Sri Lanka’s run-chase response inside 20 overs to script a 302-run win, a record margin over a Test playing nation in World Cups.
Notably, the Sri Lankan innings featured four double-digit scores, three in the form of lower-order batters and another 10-run set through extras.
5. Bangladesh 58 all out vs West Indies, 2011 World Cup
WI players celebrating a Bangladesh wicket in 2011 World Cup (x.com)
Bangladesh, backed by a strong home crowd in Mirpur, capitulated for just 58 against West Indies in a must-win World Cup 2011 Group B game. Zunaed Siddique at number three scored a near run-a-ball 25 before becoming one of Kemar Roach’s three victims of the innings. Mohammad Ashraful also breached the double-digits as it took West Indies just 18.5 overs to scythe through the entire Bangladeshi batting order.
Moreover, the three West Indies bowlers utilized in the innings, namely Roach, Sulieman Benn and Darren Sammy, collectively conceded just two extras, exhibiting thorough professionalism in their nine-wicket win against the tournament co-hosts.
 "Aakash Saini")
