Top 5 lowest team totals ever recorded in Test cricket

Test cricket is known for its demanding conditions, where batters need patience, discipline and solid technique to score runs. However, even strong teams have suffered major batting collapses and been bowled out for very low totals.

Some of the lowest team totals in Test history have come from dramatic batting failures. New Zealand hold the record for the lowest Test innings total after being dismissed for just 26 runs against England in Auckland in 1955. West Indies are second on the list after scoring 27 against Australia in Kingston in 2025.

India's lowest Test total is 36, which came against Australia in Adelaide in 2020. Many of the lowest totals were recorded before 2000, but recent matches have also produced some major batting collapses. In this article, we look at the top five lowest team totals ever recorded in Test cricket.

5. South Africa – 35 vs England, 1899

South Africa recorded the fifth-lowest innings total in Test cricket history when they were bowled out for just 35 against England in 1899. The collapse came in the second innings, as South Africa struggled to chase England's target of 246 runs.

The South African batting lineup failed to handle England's bowling attack and was dismissed in only 22.4 overs. Albert Powell was the top scorer with 11 runs, while William Shalders made eight. Schofield Haigh was the standout bowler for England, taking four wickets for 19 runs.

England scored 92 in the first innings before South Africa replied with 177, led by Jimmy Sinclair's 106. England then posted 330 in their second innings, with Johnny Tyldesley scoring 112. South Africa were eventually bowled out for 35, giving England a 210-run victory.

Brief scorecard:

• England – 92/10 (48 overs) & 330/10 (132.2 overs)
• South Africa – 177/10 (57.2 overs) & 35/10 (22.4 overs)
• Result – England won by 210 runs

4. South Africa – 30 vs England, 1924

South Africa recorded the fourth-lowest innings total in Test cricket history when they were bowled out for just 30 against England in the first Test at Birmingham in 1924. The collapse came in the first innings, with South Africa dismissed in only 12.3 overs.

England's bowlers completely dominated the South African batting lineup. Arthur Gilligan was the standout bowler, taking six wickets for just seven runs in 6.3 overs. Herbie Taylor was South Africa's top scorer with seven runs, while Jimmy Blanckenberg added four.

England scored 438 in their first innings, while South Africa made 30 and 390 in their two innings. Bob Catterall scored 120 in South Africa's second innings, but England's strong bowling attack kept control of the match. England won by an innings and 18 runs.

Brief scorecard:

• England – 438/10 (124 overs)
• South Africa – 30/10 (12.3 overs) & 390/10 (143.4 overs)
• Result – England won by an innings and 18 runs

3. South Africa – 30 vs England, 1896

South Africa were bowled out for just 30 against England in the first Test at Gqeberha in 1896. The collapse came in the second innings, with the hosts dismissed in only 18.4 overs while chasing a target of 319 runs.

England's bowling attack dominated the South African batters throughout the innings. Robert Poore was the top scorer for South Africa with 10 runs, while Charles Hime added eight. George Lohmann was the pick of the England bowlers, taking eight wickets for just seven runs in 9.4 overs.

England scored 185 in their first innings before South Africa replied with 93. England then posted 226 in the second innings, setting South Africa a target of 319. South Africa managed only 30 in the final innings, handing England a 288-run victory.

Brief scorecard:

• England – 185/10 (70.4 overs) & 226/10 (80.4 overs)
• South Africa – 93/10 (30.4 overs) & 30/10 (18.4 overs)
• Result – England won by 288 runs

2. West Indies – 27 vs Australia, 2025

West Indies recorded the second-lowest innings total in Test cricket history when they were bowled out for just 27 against Australia in the third Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, on July 14, 2025. The collapse came in the second innings as West Indies chased a target of 204 runs.

The West Indies batting lineup lasted only 14.3 overs, with seven batters dismissed for ducks. Justin Greaves was the top scorer with 11 runs, while Mikyle Louis added four. Mitchell Starc produced a brilliant spell, taking six wickets for just nine runs in 7.3 overs, while Scott Boland claimed three wickets for two runs.

Australia scored 225 in their first innings before West Indies replied with 143. Australia then made 121 in the second innings, setting a target of 204. West Indies were dismissed for 27, giving Australia a 176-run victory and completing a 3-0 series sweep.

Brief scorecard:

• Australia – 225/10 (70.3 overs) & 121/10 (37 overs)
• West Indies – 143/10 (52.1 overs) & 27/10 (14.3 overs)
• Result – Australia won by 176 runs

1. New Zealand – 26 all out vs England, 1955

New Zealand hold the record for the lowest innings total in Test cricket history. They were bowled out for just 26 runs against England in the second innings of the Auckland Test on March 25, 1955. The hosts were dismissed in only 27 overs after struggling to handle England's bowling attack.

New Zealand's batting lineup failed to build any partnership, with Bert Sutcliffe top-scoring with 11 runs. Geoff Rabone added seven runs, while the rest of the batters failed to reach double figures. Bob Appleyard was England's best bowler, taking four wickets for just seven runs in six overs.

New Zealand scored 200 in their first innings, with John Reid making 73, before England replied with 246, led by Leonard Hutton's 53. New Zealand then collapsed for 26 in 27 overs, with Sutcliffe scoring 11. Appleyard finished with 4/7, while Brian Statham took 3/9.

Brief scorecard:

• New Zealand – 200/10 (88.4 overs) & 26/10 (27 overs)
• England – 246/10 (119.1 overs)
• Result – England won by an innings and 20 runs

Special Mention

India – 36 vs Australia, 2020

India's 36 all out against Australia in the Adelaide Test in 2020 remains their lowest total in Test cricket. The collapse came in the second innings on December 19, 2020, as India lost their final eight wickets for just 23 runs and were dismissed in only 21.2 overs.

India's batters struggled against Australia's pace attack, with Mayank Agarwal top-scoring with nine runs. Hanuma Vihari added eight, while the rest of the batting lineup failed to make a major impact. Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler, taking five wickets for just eight runs, while Pat Cummins claimed four wickets for 21 runs.

India had scored 244 in their first innings, with Virat Kohli making 74, before Australia replied with 191. India were then dismissed for 36, leaving Australia a target of just 90 runs. Australia chased it down with 93/2, winning the Test by eight wickets.

Brief scorecard:
India – 244/10 (93.1 overs) & 36/9 (21.2 overs)
Australia – 191/10 (72.1 overs) & 93/2 (21 overs)
Result – Australia won by 8 wickets