There has been a lot of discussion about the inability of modern-day batsmen to play through sessions and score big runs under adverse conditions in recent years. The discussions elevated after the Indian cricket team’s poor show with the bat in the first test against Australia in Adelaide. The Lowest Score In Test Cricket, and we have compiled a list of such scores for you.
A team studded with superstar batsmen like Virat Kohli and solid defense batsmen like Cheteshwar Pujara was bowled out or rather 9 wickets down for just 36 runs. (Mohd. Shami got retired hurt) But, India is not an exception. With the introduction of fast-paced leagues like IPL and T-20 cricket, the art of batting through sessions, leaving the balls and solid defense seems to have faded away. Only a few batsmen do good across all the three formats but that is not enough to keep the legacy of Test cricket intact.
While critics doubled down on the Indian side after a dismal show with the bat, test batting has taken a toll not only in India but across the nations. Players like to play more exciting cricket and even the crowd loves that. But this is not the only reason behind really low scores.
Teams across the generations have had their share of good days and bad days. Ferocious bowling, unexpected behavior from the pitch, or drastic difference in the conditions between two countries often lead to such moments and we have seen plenty of those in the past. Was India’s 36/9 the lowest score in Test cricket ever? No. We’ve brought to you 8 lowest test cricket scores ever recorded in an inning.
Ireland vs England (38)
Ireland has played a limited number of tests due to its associate nation status while England is one of the top test teams in the world. Despite this, Ireland has managed to give England a beating on several occasions especially in the limited over cricket. However, Test cricket is a different ball game altogether. Ireland recorded the 8th lowest score in a Test Innings when it faced England for the only test in July 2019 in the Lord’s. But it didn’t come before the Irish gave the English a shock.
Ireland managed to bowl England out for just 85 in the first inning and set a score of 207 in response. But England came back strongly in the next inning and scored 303. What followed was a disaster for Ireland as Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes unleashed their fury, bowling out the Irish for just 38. Woakes took 6 wickets while Broad grabbed 4.
India vs Australia (36)
India’s recent flop show against Australia is not the lowest test score but it is definitely one of the lowest. The game appeared to be in India’s grasp until the second inning. Batting first after winning the toss, India racked up 244 runs with the help of Virat Kohli’s resilient 74. Indian bowlers responded well and Australia was bowled out for 191. With a lead of 53 runs, Indians were well in control until the openers came out to bat.
What happened next was unexpected. In just 21.2 overs, all the Indian batsmen were sent back to the pavilion. Josh Hazlewood took 5, Pat Cummins grabbed 4 while Mohammad Shami was retired hurt. Australia got a target of 90 runs and they achieved it with 8 wickets in hand. This was India’s lowest score in Test cricket.
Australia vs England (36)
Australians sent the Indian batsmen back for just 36 runs but a century earlier, they were caught up in a similar situation against England. Australia was touring England in May 1902 when they were made to smell the leather not once but twice. Batting first, England racked up 376 runs on the board at the loss of 9 wickets and asked Australia to bat. What followed was Australia’s biggest nightmare.
Wilfred Rhodes ripped through the Australian batting line-up by grabbing 7 scalps and George Hirst did the rest of the damage by taking 3. All this just at the cost of 36 runs. Australia was then asked to follow on and the match ended in a draw as Australia were 46/2.
Also Read, Top 6 Individual Scores In Test Cricket History
South Africa vs Australia (36)
In February 1932, South Africans came to know about the cruelty of Test cricket. The team registered one of the lowest scores in a test match inning. Batting first, South Africans did nothing majestic and were bowled out for just 36 as Bert Ironmonger took 5 wickets, Laurie Nash took 4 and Stan McCabe took 1. In response, Australia wasn’t heroic either and was bowled out for 153. But it was too much for the South Africans as they couldn’t do much in the second inning as well and were bowled out for 45 losing the match by an inning and 72 runs. Ironmonger scalped 6 in the second inning.
South Africa vs England (35)
You’ll spot South Africa multiple times on the list for they have had a really poor record in the late 19th and early 20th century. This one is from April 1899 where England was touring South Africa. England was bowled out for just 92 in the first innings and South Africa made 177 in response. The second inning by England was a perfect comeback as they racked up 330 runs on the board. South Africa had a target of 246 runs but they fell for just 35 recording one of the worst test scores. Schofield Haigh grabbed 6 wickets while Albert Trott grabbed 4.
South Africa vs England (30)
If one had to write a book on low scores, South Africa would be a perfect place to start their research. It was in June 1924 when South Africa scored the 3rd worst test innings total. During their tour of England, they were given the opportunity to bat in the second innings after England racked up a massive score of 438 runs. Under the challenging swinging conditions, South Africa crumbled under pressure and got bowled out for just 30, their joint-lowest test total. None of the batsmen could reach double digits.
Arthur Gilligan took 6 wickets and Maurice Tate picked up 4. They were asked to follow on and they did well. With the help of Bob Catterall’s 120, they managed to score 390 but it was still not enough to stop England from getting a victory by an inning and 18 runs.
South Africa vs England (30)
No, this isn’t a typo. South Africa have been bowled out for the same score by the same opponent twice. This was in February 1896 and this time England were touring South Africa. Batting first, England were bowled out for 186. The response by South Africa was poorer as they fell for just 93 thanks to George Lohmann’s 7-wicket haul. In the second inning, England scored 226, giving the hosts a challenging target of 319 runs. If South Africa’s first inning was a failure, the second was a disaster. They were bowled out for mere 30 runs and Lohmann grabbed 8 scalps this time. This is the second-lowest test inning total till date.
New Zealand vs England (26)
England has had mastery in bowling out their opponents cheaply and it is New Zealand that holds the record for scoring the lowest test inning total. England was touring New Zealand in March 1955 when they embarrassed the Kiwis with their splendid bowling performance. Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 200 in the first inning with the help of John Reid’s 73. In response, England was bowled out for 246.
The experts and critics were all set for a gritty fight in the second innings but the Kiwis struggled to connect the bat with the ball barring some edges. In the end, they were bowled out for just 26 runs – the lowest ever test inning total. Bob Appleyard took 4 wickets in the inning. England won the match by an inning and 20 runs.
