27 By West Indies To 42 By New Zealand, Here Are 11 Lowest Team Totals Of Test History

July 14 will go down as one of the most humbling days in the West Indies cricket history. Playing a day-night Test match against Australia at the legendary Sabina Park Stadium in Jamaica, the West Indies men’s team endured a catastrophic batting collapse, managing to score only 27 runs in their second innings. The total now stands as the West Indies’ lowest ever score in the history of Test cricket. It was a performance that stunned fans and analysts alike, as seven West Indian batters failed to open their accounts in the innings, leaving the side completely outplayed.

This dismal score is now the second lowest ever recorded in the long history of Test cricket. The only team to have fared worse was New Zealand, who in March 1955 at Eden Park, Auckland, got bundled out for just 26 runs by England. That match, which remains one of the sport’s most infamous moments, had stood alone at the bottom of the table of the lowest innings totals for nearly 70 years until now.

West Indies is not the only team to face such an embarrassment, here’s a look at 10 other lowest team totals in the Test history where some of the sport’s most dramatic batting collapses shocked the cricketing world:

1. New Zealand – 26 All Out vs England (1955)

In one of the most shocking collapses in Test cricket, New Zealand was dismissed for just 26 runs at Eden Park, Auckland. Facing a fiery English bowling attack led by Bob Appleyard and Frank Tyson, the Kiwis lasted only 27 overs. No batsman reached double figures and extras top-scored with 11.

2. West Indies – 27 All Out vs England (1955)

Only six months after New Zealand’s debacle, West Indies suffered their own humiliation at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. England’s swing bowlers, led by Frank Tyson and Johnny Wardle, exploited the conditions brilliantly. West Indies’ innings fell apart rapidly, with Alf Valentine’s 7 being the highest individual score.

3. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (1896)

In 1896, South Africa was bowled out for 30 in Port Elizabeth. England’s George Lohmann produced a spell of 8 wickets for 7 runs, one of the most devastating bowling performances in the Test history. The pitch offered extreme spin and seam, making batting nearly impossible.

4. South Africa – 30 All Out vs England (1924)

South Africa was dismissed for just 30 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in a rain-affected pitch that heavily favoured bowlers. England’s Arthur Gilligan and Maurice Tate ripped through the Proteas line-up. It was the lowest total in England at the time and set the tone for South Africa’s 1924 tour.

5. South Africa – 35 All Out vs England (1899)

At Newlands in Cape Town, South Africa succumbed for just 35 runs in the first innings against England. On a pitch assisting swing and seam movement, England’s bowling attack led by Schofield Haigh and George Hirst destroyed the South African batting. The top score was just 12.

6. South Africa – 36 All Out vs Australia (1932)

During the 1932 tour to Australia, South Africa again faced embarrassment as they managed only 36 runs in Melbourne. Bert Ironmonger and Tim Wall took full advantage of the pace and bounce. South Africa’s batting order couldn’t adjust, with not a single batsman crossing the 10-run mark.

7. Australia – 36 All Out vs England (1902)

In the fabled Ashes series of 1902, Australia was dismissed for 36 at Edgbaston. Wilfred Rhodes and George Hirst combined to decimate the Australian line-up. The conditions were overcast and the pitch was tricky but it was still an unexpected collapse from a strong Australian side of the era.

8. India – 36 All Out vs Australia (2020)

India’s horror collapse came in Adelaide during the Day-Night Test in 2020. After a decent first innings lead, India crumbled under the pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. No Indian batsman reached double digits and this shocking fall-out remains India’s lowest ever Test total.

9. Ireland – 38 All Out vs England (2019)

Playing only their third Test match, Ireland was bowled out for 38 at Lord’s. Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad made the most of favourable bowling conditions. Chasing 182, Ireland looked promising but collapsed dramatically, drawing attention to the steep learning curve in Test cricket for new entrants.

10. New Zealand – 42 All Out vs Australia (1946)

In Wellington, New Zealand suffered a heavy defeat in their first ever Test against Australia. The Aussies, led by Ray Lindwall and Bill O’Reilly, demolished the home side for 42 runs. The inexperience of the New Zealand side and the potent Aussie pace-spin combination proved too much to handle.

It seems this is why cricket is called an unpredictable game, what do you say?

The post 27 By West Indies To 42 By New Zealand, Here Are 11 Lowest Team Totals Of Test History appeared first on RVCJ Media.