This article highlights the most significant instances of batting collapses and record-low team totals in Test cricket history.
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 26 (27.0) | England | Auckland | 25 Mar 1955 |
| West Indies | 27 (14.3) | Australia | Kingston | 12 Jul 2025 |
| South Africa | 30 (18.4×5) | England | Gqeberha | 13 Feb 1896 |
| South Africa | 30 (12.3) | England | Birmingham | 14 Jun 1924 |
| South Africa | 35 (22.4×5) | England | Cape Town | 1 Apr 1899 |
| South Africa | 36 (23.2) | Australia | Melbourne | 12 Feb 1932 |
| Australia | 36 (23.0) | England | Birmingham | 29 May 1902 |
| India | 36 (21.2) | Australia | Adelaide | 17 Dec 2020 |
| Ireland | 38 (15.4) | England | Lord’s | 24 Jul 2019 |
| New Zealand | 42 (39.0) | Australia | Wellington | 29 Mar 1946 |
Dive into Team Totals & Aggregate Records
Highest Match Aggregates by Both Teams in a Test Match
Lowest Match Aggregates by Both Teams in a Test Match
Highest Team Aggregates in a Test Match
Lowest Team Aggregates in a Test Match
Highest Innings Totals in Test Cricket
Highest First Innings Totals in Test Cricket
Highest First Innings Aggregates by Both Teams in a Test Match
Highest Innings Totals for Each Team in Test Cricket
Highest Team Totals in Pink-Ball (Day-Night) Test Matches
Lowest Innings Totals in Test History
Lowest First Innings Totals in Test Cricket
Lowest Innings Totals for Each Team in Test Cricket
Highest Successful Run Chases in Test Cricket
Lowest Targets Successfully Defended in Test Cricket
Key Insights on Lowest Team Totals in Test Cricket
All-Time Lowest Test Scores and Innings Records
New Zealand have recorded the lowest team total in Tests, getting all out for 26 runs against England in the Auckland 1955 Test.
West Indies’ 27 all out against Australia in 2025 is the lowest total by a team in the fourth innings of a Test match. This is also the lowest total in a day-night Test.
South Africa have been all out under 50 runs in seven innings, the most by a team in Tests.
Australia, England and South Africa have been bowled out for 100 or fewer runs in 30 or more Test innings.
Shortest Completed Innings by Balls Faced
South Africa’s 30 all out against England in the 1924 Birmingham match lasted for a mere 75 balls, making it the shortest innings by a team in terms of balls in Tests. This is also the lowest total by a team in an away Test.
South Africa are the only team to get all out within 100 balls twice, with 30 all out against England in the 1896 Gqeberha Test being the other instance.
Sri Lanka, the West Indies, England, Ireland and Australia are the other teams to get all out in less than 100 balls once each.
Lowest Match Aggregates in Tests
36 all out by South Africa against Australia in Melbourne (1932) is the lowest first innings total in the longer format.
South Africa also fared poorly in their second attempt, as Australia folded them for 45 runs.
South Africa’s combined match aggregate of 81 runs in the 1932 Melbourne Test is the lowest by a team after batting in both innings of a Test match.
The 1932 Melbourne match also recorded the lowest Test match aggregate by both teams, as Australia added 153 runs to take the run tally to 234 runs.
Historic Defences and Low Totals in Victories
England have logged the lowest total in a Test win. They won the 1987 Sydney Test after Australia wrapped them up for 45 in the first innings.
Australia have defended the lowest target in Tests, having secured an 85-run target against England in the 1882 Oval Test. They sneaked in a seven-run win after bowling out England for 77 runs.
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