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the lowest score total in Test history. We feel surprised when this happens because cricket is often about big scores. These moments stand out since they show how hard the game can be. Low scores make us talk about them a lot because they are rare and exciting.
Low scores are a big deal because they show the game’s tough side. When a team gets a low total, it means the other team’s bowlers were really strong or the pitch was tricky. Batsmen have to stay calm, but sometimes they can’t, and that’s when collapses happen. The lowest score total in Test cricket gets remembered for years. We like these stories because they make the game feel alive and full of surprises. It’s not just about winning—it’s about how teams face hard challenges and keep going.
Why These Low Scores Happen
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Teams get low scores in Test cricket because of great bowling. For example, in 1896, South Africa scored just 30 runs because England’s George Lohmann took 8 wickets for 7 runs. The pitch can also be hard to bat on, making it tough for players to hit the ball. When New Zealand got 26 runs in 1955, the English bowlers Bob Appleyard and Frank Tyson made it impossible to score. Pressure builds up, and batsmen lose focus, leading to quick wickets. These things together cause the lowest score total in Test matches.
Another reason is that teams sometimes aren’t ready. Ireland scored 38 runs in 2019 against England because they were new to Test cricket and faced strong bowlers like Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad. In 2020, India’s 36 runs against Australia came after a good start, but Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bowled too well. South Africa’s 30 runs in 1924 happened in only 12.3 overs because Maurice Tate and Arthur Gilligan were unstoppable. We see how fast things can go wrong when everything lines up against the batting side.
The 21 Teams With Lowest Score Total In Test
Here’s a table of the 21 teams with the lowest score total in Test cricket. New Zealand has the smallest at 26 runs against England in 1955. South Africa shows up a lot, with 30 runs twice, in 1896 and 1924, and 35 runs in 1899. India’s 46 runs in 2024 against New Zealand is the newest low score. Australia, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and others also have totals under 50 runs. These games happened in different places and years, showing that low scores can hit any team at any time.
The table tells us when and where these matches took place. For example, Australia scored 36 runs in 1902 in Birmingham, and Bangladesh got 43 runs in 2018 in North Sound. England’s 45 runs in 1887 against Australia is one of the oldest on the list. We feel a bit amazed looking at how many teams struggled like this. The lowest score total in Test history keeps showing up as a reminder of how tough cricket can be, no matter who’s playing or when.
Team Advertisements | Runs | Overs | Inns | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. New Zealand | 26 | 27.0 | 3 | England | Auckland | 25 Mar 1955 |
2. South Africa | 30 | 18.4 | 4 | England | Gqeberha | 13 Feb 1896 |
3. South Africa | 30 | 12.3 | 2 | England | Birmingham | 14 Jun 1924 |
4. South Africa | 35 | 22.4 | 4 | England | Cape Town | 1 Apr 1899 |
5. South Africa | 36 | 23.2 | 1 | Australia | Melbourne | 12 Feb 1932 |
6. Australia | 36 | 23.0 | 2 | England | Birmingham | 29 May 1902 |
7. India | 36 | 21.2 | 3 | Australia | Adelaide | 17 Dec 2020 |
8. Ireland | 38 | 15.4 | 4 | England | Lord’s | 24 Jul 2019 |
9. New Zealand | 42 | 39.0 | 1 | Australia | Wellington | 29 Mar 1946 |
10. Australia | 42 | 37.3 | 2 | England | Sydney | 10 Feb 1888 |
11. Sri Lanka | 42 | 13.5 | 1 | South Africa | Durban | 28 Nov 2024 |
12. India | 42 | 17.0 | 3 | England | Lord’s | 20 Jun 1974 |
13. South Africa | 43 | 28.2 | 3 | England | Cape Town | 25 Mar 1889 |
14. Bangladesh | 43 | 18.4 | 1 | West Indies | North Sound | 4 Jul 2018 |
15. Australia | 44 | 26.0 | 4 | England | The Oval | 10 Aug 1896 |
16. South Africa | 45 | 31.3 | 3 | Australia | Melbourne | 12 Feb 1932 |
17.England | 45 | 35.3 | 1 | Australia | Sydney | 28 Jan 1887 |
18.New Zealand | 45 | 19.2 | 1 | South Africa | Cape Town | 2 Jan 2013 |
19. England | 46 | 19.1 | 4 | West Indies | Port of Spain | 25 Mar 1994 |
20. India | 46 | 31.2 | 1 | New Zealand | Bengaluru | 17 Oct 2024 |
21. New Zealand | 47 | 32.3 | 2 | England | Lord’s | 19 Jun 1958 |
Biggest Collapses in Test Cricket
The lowest score total in Test cricket is New Zealand’s 26 runs in 1955 against England. It happened in Auckland, and the English bowlers Bob Appleyard and Frank Tyson were too good. No New Zealand player scored more than 11 runs, with Bert Sutcliffe getting the highest. The innings lasted just 27 overs, and we can imagine how fast the wickets fell. South Africa’s 30 runs in 1896 against England was rough too. George Lohmann took 8 wickets for 7 runs in Port Elizabeth, and extras scored the most with 6 runs.
South Africa had another bad day in 1924, scoring 30 runs in Birmingham. Maurice Tate and Arthur Gilligan took all the wickets in 12.3 overs, the shortest innings ever. India’s 36 runs in 2020 against Australia shocked us because they started well but fell apart. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bowled them out in 21.2 overs. Ireland got 38 runs in 2019 at Lord’s against England, with Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad taking all wickets. These collapses show how the lowest score total in Test cricket comes from tough days and strong bowling.
What Low Scores Mean for Cricket
Low scores change how we see cricket teams. India’s 36 runs in 2020 against Australia was bad, but they won the series 2-1 after that. We feel proud when teams bounce back like this. Australia scored 36 runs in 1902 against England but still won the Ashes that year. These moments prove teams can get stronger after a collapse. The lowest score total in Test history doesn’t end a team’s story—it’s just one part of it. Cricket gets more interesting because of these ups and downs.
These low totals also make the game better over time. Teams look at what went wrong and fix it. After New Zealand’s 26 runs in 1955, they worked hard and grew as a team. India’s 46 runs in 2024 against New Zealand, with Matt Henry and William ORourke bowling well, will push them to practice more. The lowest score total in Test cricket teaches players to handle pressure and tricky pitches. We like how these tough games help cricket stay exciting and keep improving.