Test cricket, often hailed as the purest form of the game, is known for its ebbs and flows, with moments of dominance giving way to dramatic collapses. Some of the most startling figures in Test history are the very low team totals, which show how harsh the game can be when the batting side is in a bad situation, even though five-wicket hauls and hundreds garner the most attention. These occurrences demonstrate excellent bowling, challenging surfaces, and sometimes just a terrible collective batting effort. In this article, we are going to learn about the top 5 lowest scores in test cricket history.
1. New Zealand - 26 vs England (Auckland, 1955)
The unpleasant record for the lowest cricket score (lowest total) in Test history was set in 1955 when New Zealand fell to England by a pathetic 26 runs. On a challenging Eden Park surface, the English bowlers, led by Brian Statham (3/9) and Bob Appleyard (4/7), delivered a masterclass of seam and swing bowling. Due to a lack of options, the Kiwi batsmen crumbled miserably in their second innings. In Test cricket, this still serves as a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.
2. West Indies - 27 vs Australia (Kingston, 2025)
In a shocking modern-day collapse, the West Indies were recently bowled out for just 27 runs against Australia in July 2025. Chasing a modest target, the Caribbean side crumbled under the relentless pressure of Australia's pace attack. Mitchell Starc, playing his 100th Test, was the chief destroyer with a fifer, while Scott Boland also picked up a hat-trick. This abysmal performance highlights that even in contemporary cricket, with advancements in batting techniques, such collapses are still possible, particularly on challenging surfaces and against world-class bowling. The havoc of Stars and Boland's bowling was such that 7 West Indies batsmen could not even open their account and got out on zero. For the West Indies, Justin Greaves is the highest scorer in that innings, who scored 11 runs.
3. South Africa - 30 vs England (Gqeberha, 1896)
South Africa features prominently in this infamous list, a reflection of their early struggles in Test cricket. In 1896, they were dismissed for just 30 runs against England. George Lohmann was the wrecker-in-chief for England, taking an astonishing 8 wickets for just 7 runs, showcasing one of the most dominant bowling performances ever recorded. This match stands as a testament to the early era of Test cricket, where pitches were often unplayable and batting techniques less refined.
4. South Africa - 30 vs England (Birmingham, 1924)
Less than three decades later, South Africa endured another humiliating collapse against England, again being bowled out for 30 runs. Maurice Tate and Arthur Gilligan combined to dismantle the Proteas' batting line-up, taking all ten wickets between them. This further illustrates the struggles faced by emerging cricketing nations against the more established powerhouses in the early 20th century, often compounded by difficult playing conditions.
5. South Africa - 35 vs England (Cape Town, 1899)
Rounding out the top five, South Africa makes its third appearance, being dismissed for 35 runs against England in 1899. Schofield Haigh and Albert Trott were the destroyers on this occasion, exploiting the conditions to
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