Test Cricket
Test cricket is often celebrated for its endurance, patience, and monumental scores spread over five days. But every now and then, the game takes a dramatic turn, and even the best teams crumble under pressure. These rare yet unforgettable moments remind fans that in cricket, anything can happen—especially when the ball starts talking and the batters lose their footing.
One such moment occurred recently when Australia stunned the West Indies, skittling them out for just 27 runs in a pink-ball Test in Kingston. It was a collapse that instantly entered the history books and brought back memories of similar unforgettable disasters from the past.
Here’s a look at the five lowest team totals ever recorded in Test cricket, where sides were bowled out in shocking fashion.
1. New Zealand – 26 All Out vs England (Auckland, 1955)
Topping the list is New Zealand’s infamous total of just 26 runs against England in 1955 at Eden Park, Auckland. This remains the lowest team total ever recorded in Test cricket. In their second innings, the Kiwis collapsed dramatically, with the highest scorer making only 11 runs and five players dismissed for ducks. England’s Bob Appleyard took 4 wickets for 7 runs, while Brian Statham and Frank Tyson shared the remaining wickets. Despite challenging pitch conditions, this batting collapse remains one of the most shocking in cricket history.
2. West Indies – 27 All Out vs Australia (Kingston, 2025)
In one of the most recent and unexpected collapses, the West Indies were bowled out for just 27 runs by Australia in a day-night Test match in Kingston in 2025. Australia’s Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc with the pink ball, taking 6 wickets for 9 runs in 7.3 overs, including a five-wicket haul in just 15 deliveries. Despite fairly reasonable batting conditions, the Windies were unable to resist the Australian pace attack. This collapse is remembered as one of the darkest days in Caribbean cricket.
3. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (Gqeberha, 1896)
In 1896, South Africa suffered a similar humiliation against England at Gqeberha (then known as Port Elizabeth), being bowled out for just 30 runs while chasing a difficult target. England’s George Lohmann was the star, taking 8 wickets for only 7 runs—one of the most remarkable bowling performances in Test history. This innings remains one of South Africa’s most painful batting failures.
4. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (Birmingham, 1924)
South Africa’s struggles continued in 1924 at Birmingham when they were dismissed for 30 runs in their second innings. England had posted a massive 438 runs in their first innings and enforced the follow-on. Maurice Tate and Arthur Gilligan shared the 10 wickets between them to bowl out the Proteas and secured a victory by an innings and 18 runs. This defeat highlighted South Africa’s early challenges in Test cricket.
5. South Africa – 35 All Out vs England (Cape Town, 1899)
During England’s 1899 tour of South Africa, the hosts were bowled out for just 35 runs in Cape Town. England bowlers Schofield Haigh and Albert Trott exploited the conditions perfectly, taking 6 and 4 wickets respectively. South Africa had no answers to England’s disciplined bowling attack and lost the match by 210 runs. This innings was a clear sign of England’s dominance over South Africa during that era.
These stunning failures serve as powerful reminders of Test cricket’s unpredictable nature. No matter how strong a team is on paper, a few deadly overs can turn giants into minnows, and leave fans watching in disbelief.
