Lowest Team Totals in Test Cricket (All Time)

This table below will list the lowest ten team totals ever scored in Test cricket.

Key Insights

26 all out by New Zealand is the lowest total by any team in a Test innings. Their biggest collapse came against England in 1955.

36 all out by South Africa is the lowest first innings total in the longer format. They also fared poorly in their second attempt, as Australia folded them for 45 runs in the Melbourne 1932 Test.

South Africa’s combined match aggregate of 81 runs is the lowest by a team in Test cricket.

The Proteas have also recorded the lowest total in the fourth innings of a Test. In the 1896 Port Elizabeth Test, England bowled South Africa out for 30 runs while successfully defending 319 runs.

The other 30 all out by South Africa against England in 1924 is the shortest completed Test innings by balls. Their innings lasted for a mere 75 balls. South Africa are the only team to get all out within 100 balls twice, with the Port Elizabeth innings ending in 94 deliveries.

Sri Lanka, England, Ireland, and Australia are the other teams to get all out in less than 100 balls once each.

South Africa have been all out under 50 runs in seven innings, the most by a team in Tests. 

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.

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